I'm Not Lye-ing

Hair Typing Is Stupid....

2010-03-01T09:36:00.000-08:00

That is all...

Okay...No it's not...I've got too big of a mouth for that to be all...

I'm really tired of folks talking about 2b, 3a, 4q...whatever...I still don't get the point of this exercise in futility...

Does it REALLY matter at the end of the day? I've heard it said that it helps folks know what type of products to use, but I'm starting not to believe that...

I honestly think that there are a lot of folks out there that use it to further promote the "good hair/bad hair" foolishness...

That's all I'm saying...

*runs out of post*

Mixed Chicks? Who'da Thought...

2010-02-28T05:38:00.000-08:00

So I tried another product (from my curlmart purchase). Based on product description and reviews, I chose the Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner. I don't usually try leave ins because I've been satisfied with the concoction I make, so I was really interested in the results I'd get...I ALSO always passed up this product because of the name of the company...I'm no "mixed chick" so I didn't think the marketing was for me, lol...eh...

I like this product...Almost love it. I definitely like it better than the DevaCare Arc AnGel because it's a creamy product and not a gel. I applied the product after co-washing. My hair dried a lot faster than it did with the Arc AnGel which is an added bonus considering I don't like to spend much time styling and dealing with the whole drying issue. It probably took my hair 20-30 minutes to dry...

The next day when I woke up, I took my bonnet off, shook my head, and got this....

That's a first. Usually my hair is smooshed beyond repair, but honestly, I don't need anything in my hair other than some oil. That's the only criticism I have. It's not moisturizing enough for me. I think that's not a reason to stop using the product, however...

I also like that it's one of the only products that doesn't leave my hair looking jherri curl-ish. Because of the size of my curls, some products can make me look like I've got a jherri curl...

I give this product a solid...A...I'll use it for a while and see how I like it or love it in the future...

Day 3...

2010-02-26T16:41:00.001-08:00

The value of a styling product (IMO) is how it wears over time. So here's the result of my DevaCare style. I covered it the night before, and in the morning, my curls were all smooshed...

I spritzed it with my concoction mixed with water. Shook it a little, and voila...I had enough product in my hair still from the co-wash and first day of using the Arc AnGel that I didn't really need anything but a refresh...I like it...

Product review...

2010-02-24T18:38:00.000-08:00

So I broke down and decided to try some new products. I had been threatening to buy something from Curlmart, but I've always been overwhelmed by the offerings. BUT guess what?! They hooked me in with a sale they were having...

So, I bought Deva Care One Condition.

It's got some fabulous ingredients. I initially chose it based on reviews...Of course I was skeptical...I wouldn't be me if I wasn't, so I didn't think it would do what I needed it to do...Be a conditioner with great slip, and left my hair soft and frizz free...

It actually did that...I was impressed...After using it, my curls were separated and really defined...I actually give this stuff an A.

I followed up with Deva Care Arc AnGEL a Firm Hold Defining Gel.

I actually like this too. I read reviews of how it made some folks hair hard and crunchy, and I can understand why...If you use too much, it'll crunch your situation...But it's GEL...Duh...When I squeezed some out into my hand, my first thought was, "hmm...This is gel...Just like the bottle says...I'mma use a little bit and see what happens..." That's all it takes...A little bit...I give it a B+. If it had it's own oils to moisturize, I'd give it an A+...But I can't have it all right?

This is what my hair looked like with the Deva Care products.

I got lots of compliments and "stares" at work...(I've learned those are compliments too...) Tomorrow, it'll be a little "wilder" so it'll be bigger...How I like it. I'll take pics of that too.....

Raise your hand...

2010-02-22T12:50:00.000-08:00

if you belong to the "If I Can't Pull It Together In 20 Minutes, It's Not Gonna Happen" hair club...

I know there has to be more folks who belong to this club than me?? When I was on maternity leave (tee-hee), I perused many hair blogs, videos and websites about hair. I was amazed at how much time some folks spend to achieve a particular style or texture for their hair. That's not to even mention the products out there that you have to apply in layers to sopping wet hair and you can't touch it until 60 hours later once it dries...Good LAWD!

I'm on a quest to maintain simple hair and styling. I LOVE looking at folks who can put the time in and who have the gift and patience to twist their hair for HOURS only to untwist and wear a twist out, or wear the twists...I wish I could...

So in answer to how I make it "do what it do"?...Here's what I does...er..do...(Is that right?)

Freshly co-washed hair...No products...

I apply my "concoction" and comb through to the ends, and put it in a braid...

Then I go to bed...(this step is really important!!!)

In the am, I take the braid out...Shake and I get this...My hair was still a little damp, so I didn't need to apply anything...Also, if I would have left it braided for a few more hours, it wouldn't have shrunk up as much...All I have to do to get some length is pull on it a little...
Pretty simple...

Take Your Vitamins!!!

2010-02-17T19:54:00.000-08:00

I get questions and rants from folks who try different natural conditioners like the Honey-Olive Oil conditioner thinking something magical is going to happen...

There are sooo many deep conditioners and natural remedies out there, but I think many folks have a misconception of what to expect...

One day when I was trying to explain it, it hit me...VITAMINS!!!

You know how you know you need to take your vitamins? You don't see any immediate results from taking them, but you KNOW they're doing some good?

Same thing...

So do your deep conditioners like the Honey-Olive Oil, Banana, or Mayo-egg...

Mayo-Olive Oil-Egg Deep Conditioner

1 Cup of Mayo
1/2 Cup of Olive Oil
3 egg yolks

Mix ingredients together. Part hair and apply all over your hair!!! Cover with a plastic cap and sit under a dryer for 30 minutes. Rinse REALLY REALLY WELL...(You don't want the ingredeintes getting all funkdified on you)...

Benefits are said to be: moisturized, soft, shiny and strong hair!

Enjoy!

Rinse...Repeat...

2010-02-17T19:27:00.000-08:00

Noooo, not your hair silly!

OLD POSTS!!!

One of my readers requested that I pull some of the old puts up to the front. We were talking about some things that I've covered in past postings, and I kept sending her links...

"Why don't you repost them?" Those were her exact words...

BRILLIANT! Very good idea....

So, here's a recap of some issues I'm quite passionate about...

1. Transitioning-http://imnotlyeing.blogspot.com/2008/09/transitioning.html

2. To BC or not BC http://imnotlyeing.blogspot.com/2008/08/to-chop-or-not-to-chop.html

3. Braids Don't Grow Your Hair...This concept is still rather interesting to me...There's a comment from an "anonymous" reader who kinda had issue with my post, but was actually saying or attesting to what I was saying...hmmmm....
http://imnotlyeing.blogspot.com/2008/08/braids-dont-grow-your-hair.html

4. Learning to accept your texture and hair....This should be first on the list...If I had a dollar for every time I had to talk to somebody about their texture....LAWD! http://imnotlyeing.blogspot.com/2008/09/give-us-free.html

I'm a conditioner junkie...

2010-02-13T07:30:00.001-08:00

I have come to this realization...Other products, not so much...I don't know why I've never figured this out...

During some cleaning and consolodating, I found no less that 14 types of conditioners in various sizes...Wow...I'm shame...

I'm the queen of "Quit buying random garbage", and I've got a gang of said garbage...

But eh...

Anyhoo...I tried this pretty decent conditioner the other day, lol...

It's nothing to write home about, but the ingredients are pretty good...It's Esencia by Samy. I bought it from Kroger on sale, and have a little rebate certificate so it's essentially free...Which is why I bought it...($7.99)

I used it for my co-wash, so I was rating it based on what I need a co-wash conditioner to do...The main requirement is detangle...I'd give this conditioner a B-. Now let me qualify this grade with the fact that if I had more time for detangling, maybe would have gotten a solid B. I don't want to be detangling for more than 3 to 5 minutes...That's the cut off for me...

It's 97.1% natural with certified organic ingredients...

Purified Water, USP, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Panthenol (ProVitamin B5), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Hordeum Distichon (Barley) Extract, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Equisetum Hiemale Extract, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract**, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract**, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Jasmine Officinale (Jasmine) Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Oil, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Oil, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Citrus Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Ceteareth-20, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance.

It's goal is to replenish moisture and restore manageability.

After my hair dried, it was decent...My curls were light and not coated. It just wasn't the Liquid Soul Train I'm looking for...

Guess Who's Bizack?!!!

2010-02-12T16:26:00.000-08:00

It's me!!!

Okay...so quit it with the hate mail!

What have I been doing?! Not my hair...let me tell you...A sista been lookin' BUST-TID...

In all seriousness, I've been VERY busy cooking up me a batch of deliciousness...

Yup...I had a baby...A little boy. His name is Shiloh Xavier. He's the joy of my life and he consumes all my time...I am learning how to balance work and family though, hence why I'm attempting to blog again...He's now 3 months old, and he's learning how to entertain himself for the most part...

Dang...I spoke too soon...The hatertot is over there doing his pre-cry....

I'll chat with y'all in a minute...I gots some stuff I want to talk to y'all about ;)

The skeptic's Blog....

2009-02-12T04:54:00.001-08:00

That's probably what I shoulda called this blog...

What up y'all...Sorry I've been MIA...TressDressed has been keeping me VERY busy...

Anyway...I tried a hair mask that I've been hearing about all over the internet...I've seen video tutorials on YouTube and everything...

The Rhassoul Clay Hair Mask...

I make soap, so I have different clays here, and Rhassoul is one of them, so I decided to give it a try...

For me...eh...whatevs...

Sometimes, it seems like a lot of us in the "natural" world will jump off the deep end spending major loot trying all of these concoctions and remedies....Sometimes, I also think we overstate some of the results we get because everybody else is "oohing and ahhing" over it...But....that's just me...That's what I think...

Well considering this economic down turn of MY wallet, I have to keep it completely real for me...

I tried the mask and it didn't do anything anymore than anything else out there...It's no miracle product (not saying anybody has claimed such), but if you like natural products, this is just another one to add to all the others...

Here's a recipe:

4tbs Rhassoul Clay
2tbs Olive Oil
2 drops of Thyme Essential Oil.

I'd like to hear if anybody else tried and liked....

I'm soooo fly...

2009-01-18T12:29:00.000-08:00

I know this blog is suppose to be about natural haircare, but I can't help pubbing myself. I made these cute little clips for a gorgeous bride-to-be named Monique...She's having a destination wedding and wanted these orchid clips to add to her flyness...er...birdcage veil...LOL...

Pics of my mother-in-law!!!

2009-01-18T11:52:00.000-08:00

So my gorgeous mother-in-law got married last month. I made a fascinator for her hair, and it was PERFECTION!!! It matched her dress perfectly...I was really happy, and so was she!!

Mother-in-law is natural, and dyes her hair a gorgeous blond color...She's got the thickest hair I've ever seen in my life too...She wore her hair in a twistout and I arranged the fascinator on her hair. I "swooped" everything to one side so she'd look "diva-ish"...Here are some non-pro pictures of her in her flyness...

Don't stop, get it, get it!!!!!

2009-01-13T04:49:00.000-08:00

SOMEBODY told me the Holidays were over and I was overdue for a posting...(humph!)...! HATERS!!! That's all I'm saying...HATE-UHS!!!

So...Happy New Year!

This year is bound to be very fabulous for me...I believe it...I've got so much stuff planned for my hurr...

I've been thinking about something lately, and I think I'll blog about it right now...So my husband and I were in an Indian grocery store recently, and I started browsing their haircare offerings...There were various bottles with gorgeous Indian women with the THICK, lush, long hair...They had shampoos, conditioners, dyes, and hair oil.

I was very interested in the hair oils because a few of them had pictures of women with unbelieveably thick and long hair...One had a lady with floor length hair on it...It was insane...So of course I immediately flipped the bottle over to see the ingredients...I PROMISE YOU that every single bottle of hair oil on the shelf had the CHIEF ingredient as MINERAL OIL...So it started me to thinking...How much are products actually helping, and how much is this journey actually CARE and GENETICS?????

Sometimes we spend so much time trying to find the perfect set of products that we don't pay attention to the fact that products may only play a small part in the overall "fierceness" of our situation...I know I'm VERY guilty of this...

I often get emails asking how I deal with split ends, and what products do I use...I honestly, honestly, honestly think there are so many things that cause split ends and products are only a small part of addressing the issue...I think weak and splitting ends can be attributed mostly to environment (the weather), styling habits (combing, brushing, heat styling), and maybe genetics...

When I was in Florida over the holiday, the weather down there soooo agreed with my hair...I washed it once, and applied my "concoction" every other day...It was insane how the weather held my moisture in...Here in Tennessee, no can do, man...I best to moisturize EVERYDAY, or there are going to be serious problems...

And that brings me to genetics...I drool over folks with thick hair...I envy women who can seemingly abuse their hair with heat, crappy products and styling methods, and their hair doesn't flinch...I've come to learn that there are certain things that I JUST can't do and expect to have healthy hair...It's not in my genes...I spent some time with my mom this holiday down in Florida, and I started studying her hair. She's natural and has some amazingly gorgeous hair that she keeps in a braided bun most of the time. I studied the texture and density...I was all up in her situation...I've never looked at it like I did at that time...It's sooooo similar to mine. Fine strands that curl, wave, and frizz...She's my hair twin...She's my mom...We talked about what we do, and we pretty much have the same issues. We just address them differently.

So I said all that to say that this year, I'm going to start paying more attention to everthing else...Sure products and styles are fun, but I believe that they don't play the major role in the health of my hair.

You go first...

2008-12-09T19:53:00.000-08:00

I just got off of Amazon.com trying to spend some money...

I'm buying my husband some Christmas gifts...Searching around and hit the Beauty section...I was there for waaay too long...I decided that I'd pick one product to try...I'm such a weirdo with products...I'd click on one, put it in the shopping basket...then look up the ingredients or the marketing....then take it out of the shopping basket...I must have done this with 10 products or more...I was trying y'all...Then I came across this stuff...

Ojon® Restorative Hair Treatment

HEY!!!!

Focus...stop looking at that little hand claw thing...I need you here >...<

So, this 5 oz jar costs $55.00. Whhhhaaaaatttt??? I clicked on that just to see what "hunka, hunka" something would be applying this stuff to my situation everytime I used it...SURELY somebody comes with the stuff??

Seriously...What's the deal? Do you know how much 5 oz is??? Take a kleenex...Blow your nose...THAT'S 5 oz., dude...Okay...I kid, but you see where I'm going...

I looked at the ingredients...Looked at the marketing and the claims and I'm a little annoyed to say the least...The marketing is wacked out...IMO... (http://www.ojon.com/)

Tawira, "the people of beautiful hair" (a phrase that they've trademarked...) are of the Miskito people...Miskito are a Native American tribe of people whose territory spans from Cape Camarón, Honduras, to Rio Grande, Nicaragua...There are sites and publications that state that the Miskito people are the result of runaway African slaves intermixing with the Native American people...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miskito
http://sidewalkmystic.com/Miskitos.htm

So they have this Ojon (also a trademarked name for the palm tree grown there) tree that they produce this fantastic oil from its nuts...Okay....oil...lubricates...aids in moisturizing...sure...got it...

BUT I'm not buying that it's this stuff that causes the magical beauty that you see...I think it's genetics...I'm such a skeptic...ESPECIALLY when it comes to hair/beauty products...If it's such a "beautifier" I'mma need them folks to use it on their skin too cuz some of the pictures I've seen, the people are pretty leathery...NO offense...It's just an observation...And considering hair and skin are made up of some of the same stuff and have some of the same needs...I'm just saying...

I do believe that the harvesting of the product might be a bit more expensive than the ingredients that the mofos who make Dax hair grease or Soul Aid or whatever use but...still $55.00?

I applaud the company using the indigenous people and helping them sustain their environment (if if fact they truly are), but I know you can get less "sexy" (sexy meaning less marketing) at places like http://www.agbangakarite.com/. (Their black soap, shea butter, and red palm oil is the business in a bag...for serious)

Anyway, back on task...Amazon has the ingredients for the Ojon® Restorative Hair Treatment as:

Elaeis Oleifera, Fragrance, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Serenoa Serrulata, Prunus Africana.

I started researching the ingredients, and lo and behold...all I had to do what scroll down on into thr review section...Somebody broke it down to the brokest...(Whew...now I wont need to spend the day googling...)

It's titled: If people would just read the label............., (I fluffy, puffy, jello heart this person...)

First, let me list both the pros and the cons of using this hair product.

PROS: 1) The product consists of 95% of all natural ingredients that will benefit your hair much better than those alternative synthetic conditioners found on the cosmetic shelves. 2) It can definitely work on all types of hair - especailly ethnic hair which tends to be on the dry side & therefore would need more emollients.

CONS: 1) Most of the ingredients (see below) that this product is made of can be found at your local health food store or ordered on-line from a herbal supply company at a fraction of the cost that Ojon is requesting.

2) The main ingredient in this product is simply oil. It's the same concept of the "hot oil treatment" but marketed in a different way in order to make Ojon seem more exotic. The fact is that using any oil - e.g. olive oil, coconut oil - will give you the same results. Now, I am going to break down the ingredients label so that you can see what you are paying for.

Ingredient #1: Elaeis Oleifera is American Palm Oil. It is native to the tropical Central & South Americas and is a very low cost oil (10 cents per oz) so therefore it is widely used in many industries such as food, candles, & cosmetics. It is very emollient & leaves a non-greasy shine to the hair & skin. The entire base of this 5-oz jar is made up of this palm oil, so the cost is estimated to be no more than a total of 50 cents. Ingredient

I have to interject here...I might add that Abinga Kirite has a great Red Palm Oil...Get that for a FRACTION OF A FRACTION of what 'ol dude is charging... (carry on...)

#2: Lecithin is a natural emollient that is heavily found in egg yolks. It has great conditioning properties & feeds the skin & hair natural carbohydrates. Many local health food stores sell it for about $2 for a 16 oz bottle. A little goes a long way, so for or a 5 oz jar of oil, only 1/4 teaspoon of lecithin is required. Ingredient

#3: Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Ascorbyl Palmitate, & Citric Acid are types of preservatives that many cosmetic industries are required to use to make sure that the oils do not go rancid. They do not contribute any benefits to the hair - they are only additives to ensure the product stays fresh longer. Ingredient

#4: Serenoa Serrulata (Saw Palmetto Extract), Citronellol (roselike odor derived from citronella oil), Linalool (liquid distilled from certain essential oils) & Parfum (a man-made fragrance) are all used to give this product it's unique "smokey" scent. Since most of this fragrance base is synthetic (& cheap), these ingredients do not contribute that much benefit Ingredient

#5: Prunus Africana. This may be the only ingredient worth paying attention to. It is an herbal extract derived from the bark of an African plant that many men have used to treat prostate illnesses. It has anti-swelling & healing properites. I would predict that this ingredient is added to promote balancing to the scalp, or to add a natural coloring to the oil (as most herbal extracts will do). But, since there is only a miniature amount used in this product, it is highly unlikely that there is enough to add any benefit whatsoever. Now that I have listed a breakdown of what you are paying $55 for, it is up to you whether you want to try this product or not. It's not a bad product, but it's definitely not the greatest or most original product either to justify paying that much money. My suggestion to you is to go to the local health food store, buy some natural oils & herbs for about $7, and create your own conditioning hair oil. Apply it to your hair the same way that you would apply this Ojon (as a pre-shampoo treatment) and not only will you get the same if not better results, but you will have enough money left over to go towards something more practical.
Things that make you go hmmmmmm.....

I've got a gallon of palm oil on my baker's rack that I use for soap making...Wouldn't need the preservatives as I'll make small batches...I have my own essential oils, and the Prunus Africana (wild cherry extract)...I can do without...it's the LAST ingredient on the list...If you got the loot to spend, and/or don't like to mix it up...try it...i guess...

Maybe it's that frightful little petrified hand/hook thing that makes it cost so much...

MMMMM....TAYter Tots...

2008-12-08T19:05:00.000-08:00

Okay...That was tre corney...

I usually do my showcases on diva's who are natural or going natural, but I decided to take a break from the norm...

As we struggle through our journey of not only better hair care, but with working with the mindset of accepting our NATURAL selves, one has to look back to how that "mind" was developed...So many times I hear people say that "natural" hair isn't for them or they look stupid with natural hair, but it makes me say...Ummkay...The stuff that's growing OUT of your head? The stuff that GOD created??? For serious??? Okay...

I have a girl friend with the cutest little diva. Her name is Taylen, but we affectionately call her TATERS!!! Tay had a challenge getting here, and she fought so that she could bless us with her presence. Her mommy the lovely and loving elementary school teacher, Trice is allowing me to showcase her precious girl...

Trice is committed to making sure Tay learns to love herself from the beginning. I'm very curious to watch this from the cradle...

Anyway...Heeeeerrrrreeee's TATERS!!!

Y'all, Tay is rocking a twist out...Are you ready for that?? Too much...

Trice is narrating this story, so take it away mama...
Taylen came into the world with her head covered with hair. Not a head full of hair. It was straight and it covered her head.

Then the top started growing and the sides sat still. Then it started looking like the sides were thinning out. Her head was just getting bigger. But anyway people starting asking us if we styled her hair in a fro (yes those colored people). So eventually by the time she was 5 months she had a full out frohawk. She would rarely even wear a headband with it because ever since she was in the NICU she had things stuck to her head and she would panic when we put stuff around her head. Twice she allowed me to put a velcro barette in her head. I can remember clearly. I took pictures those days.

I didn't know what to do with her hair so I would put baby lotion or baby oil in her hair after a bath or before we left and let it run free.

(CUUUUTTTTT!!!!!!! Umm...Trice...spank yourself, please...) Okay...continue on...

Then the hair on the top of her head kept growing and the sides started to grow again! She could have ponytails but they looked so weird. I did them anyway. She had three! My mom came to visit and stopped me from using baby oil in my baby's hair. She started using LIV conditioner instead.

(ummm...do yall know they're about the same thing...as far as ingredients go??? I'mma beat on y'all...but carry on...)

I wet her hair and rubbed it in. She moved all the way up to a maximum of 6 ponytails before we started getting places and half of her hair was now out.

The child started taking her ponytails out on our way to places. I'd get to church and her right side would be neat and pretty and the left side would be all over the place. She was eating the ponytail holders. So then...I agreed with her that ponytails were for babies and she was a big girl. She allowed me to twist her hair after a shower and a few days later she had them all out! She wore her afro for 2 weeks. Some nights I would retwist it and let her take it out.

Look at Tayters stylin' in the Tutu I made her!!! Loving the stylish drool under her chin...Work it girl!

She has worn it in french braids/corn rows once but she took them out before I could even put batteries in the camera to take a picture.

I loves me some Tayters!!!! Butterum...Trice...we gone fight like rolling on the lawn if you don't stop using that greasy mess in my baby's hurr...

2008-12-07T09:37:00.000-08:00

So...

I just came out of a very stressed 12 hours...

My mother-in-law is getting married next weekend, and she asked me to make her a fascinator 2 months ago...

I just finished it...today...

No...I wasn't slacking...

I was stressing...

She's getting married in the most non-traditional dress EVA...It's a pewter-ish color. She wanted feathers and browns and metalics and such...I tried a few different designs, and I swear the end results looked like something that needed to be in Beyonce's Upgrade U video...I wasn't having that...

I love my mother-in-law, so I want her to be happy, I also don't want my husband looking back years from now talking about how I had his moms looking a Hot Mess...

She said she didn't want to wear a veil, but guess what...She bout to wear one...Well some...I must be crazy adding that to my stress, right? I'm a fool, but last night I saw the fascinator I needed to make...in my dream...I always have dreams about pieces I create without design inspiration...

So here's what she's going to be wearing...

I think it came out beautifully...Okay...I'm going to bed now...I'm BEAT!!!

Kickin' it OLD SKOOL!

2008-12-06T17:06:00.001-08:00

My mom used to use this stuff on our hair years ago, and I must say I loves the stuff...It's a leave in conditioning treatment. For curly and coarse hair - helps smooth away rough cuticles and tangles. Moisturizes to reduce dryness and frizziness. Improves manageability. Increases shine. You can get it from Sally's Beauty Supply...or online...

It makes my hair softer...Helps with detangling, and gives my tresses some strength...

Here are the types out there:

Double 007 for Fine/Limp hair
Doubel 0233 for Chemically treated hair
Double 0619 for Dry/coarse hair (the one I use)

The blurby-blurb:

See what Fermodyl products can do for your hair:

Improve damaged hair after a relaxer or perm
Restore moisture to dry, dull hair
Enhance colour shine after a colour service
Add fullness and volume to thinning hair
Build body in fine hair

Here's a slick chart to see which one is best for your situation:

Vee's Milkshake....

2008-12-03T19:49:00.000-08:00

Whether she likes it or not, this piece 'o sexiness will bring the all the boys to the yard. Trust. Soft pink ostrich feathers with the center bling....

CLEAR COLOR????

2008-12-03T12:29:00.000-08:00

That's STOOPIT! That's like the ultimate in double talk...

Yeah, well it works...

My hair is naturally this weird sandy color. Not the cute sandy, but the dull sandy. The color that ALWAYS looks dry, no matter HOW much oil, sheen, gloss or grease is in it...UNTIL I learned about clear semi-permanent color THAT CONDITIONS!!!!!

Every now and then I'll use a clear semi-permanent to help with shine, and to add continuous conditioning.

The prices range from @ $4.00 a bottle to $20.00 for an application. I'm in love with Paul Mitchell professional hair color - Inkworks (@ $12.00) This stuff is some Soul Train, let me tell YOU...

Le "blurb" says...INKWORKS is the ultimate fun and professional semi-permanent color solution. • Vegetable Base—a gentle formula of pure vibrant pigments is suspended in a conditioning base of pure vegetable proteins, moisturizers, and shine-enhancing agents • Semi-Permanent Hair Color—incredibly vivid, non-damaging shades last up to three weeks (depending on hair’s porosity)

How does INKWORKS work? INKWORKS sits primarily on the outside of the hair shaft; the greater the porosity and the lighter the base color the more intense the end result. Conditioning proteins, especially in an acid base, have an affinity for the hair fiber making INKWORKS a long lasting, shiny temporary color.

I like the idea of semi-permanent color. They're ammonia free and the conditioning lasts a lot longer...'Specially when I get a little lax with the deep conditioning...

ORS Revisited...

2008-12-03T12:13:00.000-08:00

I was in the BSS store the other day looking for some hair clips, and decided to try the ORS Replenishing Pak again. I hate BSS, but that's a whole OTHER story...seriously...

Anyhoo...I tried it eons ago, and never bought it again, but since I've keep hearing great reviews for it, I decided to give it another go...

It's still just EH... to me...

Here's why (I think)...

It has 'cones in it..kinda high on the ingredient list. I can't tolerate too many cones...It conditioned...pretty well, but it left my hair a bit coated...

I can see folks with thicker hair and who LOVE 'cones using this. It WOULD be the bomb.com...BUT if you have really fine, curly, 'cone hating hair, this may not be the stuffus...

I'd love to hear from folks with fine, thin, curly hair. What was your experience???

I broke down...

2008-12-03T11:48:00.000-08:00

No...I didn't get no funky perm...

I broke down and shampooed my hair...I was trying to co-wash exclusively for the winter, but I couldn't do it. I HATE excessive build up, and clarifying doesn't do it for me on a continuous basis...I just like to shampoo...

OH and another reason why I broke down is that I was trying out some new shampoo bars that I bought... ;) (that's the reason more than anything...)

I bought some shampoo bar samples from Chagrin Valley Soap.

http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com/

I bought a few samples, but I used the:

Babassu & Marsh Mallow Shampoo Bar

Here's the "blurb" about the bar:

Emollient rich, deeply nourishing babassu oil moisturizes, and restores hair strength and elasticity, for shiny, healthy-looking hair. Camellia oil provides luster and shine, while it moisturizes, softens, and protects hair. Women from the Japanese island of Oshima, where Camellia tress are very abundant, are said to have the most beautiful hair. A shampoo formulated with camellia oil may help with dandruff and hair loss. Walnut oil, an excellent hair care oil, helps condition hair. Shea butter and avocado oil moisturize, restore luster, and conditioner the hair and scalp. We infused the march mallow in grapeseed oil and created a mucilage, by mixing organic marsh mallow root with filtered rainwater and organic aloe. Marsh mallow root soothes and hydrates the hair and scalp, providing relief from scalp irritation. It also detangles and provides a great natural moisturizer for hair. Aloe strengthens the hair shaft, makes hair smoother, silkier, and more manageable. The essential oil blend has lovely floral and spice scent. Ylang ylang, has a stimulating effect on the scalp which helps promote more luxurious hair. Ylang ylang and lemon help balance the production of sebum making them good oils for all hair types. A Chinese folk remedy recommends rubbing ginger root on the scalp to stop hair loss. Essential oils of lemon and ginger also help restore body and shine.

Did ya get all of that????

I can dig it...Lots of talk, but I appreciate the education and information. I mean really, so many products have so much to say, but really never say anything, right? Well obviously they're into educating...

Anyway, if you haven't tried a shampoo bar, this is a great opportunity. The samples are pretty cheap, so you can buy a few to see how you like it. The downside is that they run of of product often, so there may be a type here or there that you cant order until they're finished curing...

I lathered up twice with the bar. My hair was SQUEAKY clean...It was almost scary. It squeaked and screamed every time I touched it. It was crazy...My hair almost had an attitude with me...seriously...It literally stripped it completely down...I think I shouldn't have shampooed twice...ONCE would have been plenty, but with EVERY shampoo I've used, I have to shampoo...rinse...repeat...

It doesn't smell like much of anything...kinda medicinal...kinda minty...but it's really good stuff...My husband wont let me buy it again (pouts) because he said it looks and feels no better than the soap I make. He doesnt see the point. (BUSTER!)

Here's a picture of the super clean hair...Shhh....Do you hear that? It's my hair squeaking...

New Hairware!

2008-11-26T15:54:00.000-08:00

Doesn't this sizzle? This is a fascinator I made for a fellow BAB (www.brownandbridal.com) sista. Mo gave me carte blanche on the design, and it had me a bit intimidated at first...I was like UHHHH...WHAT IS I'M GONE DO???? Okay...Not really...but close...

Crazy, but I actually saw this piece in a dream...That's how I usually come up with designs...I go to bed one night stressing over what I'm going to do, and sometime during the night I think God gives me the inspiration...

So here's what He gave me. It's the MONIQUE. It works...

Sulfates...at it again...

2008-11-17T11:37:00.001-08:00

I ran across this article and thought it was rather interesting...

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/19516

If you have no idea why we’re pondering that question today, go brush your teeth real quick and grab a drink (orange juice, iced tea, beer—anything except water). Awful, isn’t it?You can thank sodium laureth sulfate, also known as sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) for ruining your drink, depending on which toothpaste you use. Both of these chemicals are surfactants – wetting agents that lower the surface tension of a liquid – that are added to toothpastes to create foam and make the paste easier to spread around your mouth (they’re also important ingredients in detergents, fabric softeners, paints, laxatives, surfboard waxes and insecticides).
While surfactants make brushing our teeth a lot easier, they do more than make foam. Both SLES and SLS mess with our taste buds in two ways. One, they suppress the receptors on our taste buds that perceive sweetness, inhibiting our ability to pick up the sweet notes of food and drink. And, as if that wasn’t enough, they break up the phospholipids on our tongue. These fatty molecules inhibit our receptors for bitterness and keep bitter tastes from overwhelming us, but when they’re broken down by the surfactants in toothpaste, bitter tastes get enhanced.
So, anything you eat or drink after you brush is going to have less sweetness and more bitterness than it normally would. Is there any end to this torture? Yes. You don’t need foam for good toothpaste, and there are plenty out there that are SLES/SLS-free. You won’t get that rabid dog look that makes oral hygiene so much fun, but your breakfast won’t be ruined.

Moisture...

2008-11-15T20:44:00.000-08:00

What is it??

I got this question the other day, and I thought I'd post it in the blog because I think there are a lot of people who don't know what moisturizers are and what they're suppose to do...First and foremost, let me start off by saying sorry to all y'all sending the "nasty grams" because I haven't updated the blog...I've been trying to get Tress Dressed up and running, and it's been A LOT of work. I was in a craft fair yesterday, and sold most of my pieces, so I have to revamp my website...I pretty much have to start all over...I COULD have worse problems, right? I'm not complaining...I'm having the time of my life...Anyway, y'all keep praying for ya girl...God is blessing me BIG TIME!

Anyhoo, on to the moisture subject...

Water is the only for real, for real "moisturizer". The only problem is that water evaporates quickly, so it (alone) can't keep our hair moisturized for very long. Oils help in moisturizing by preventing the water (for real, for real) moisture from evaporating from the hair...

So technically speaking, no...Oils aren't moisturizers...They aid in the process of moisturizing...What you want a moisturizer to do is to increase the water content (by hydration) while at the same time reducing its evaporation...This is a moisturizer's one and only goal.

The hard part is to find one that doesn't leave your hair, sticky, greasy, gooey, gluey, or hard in the process...And unfortunately, we've learned to THINK that moisturizing the hair means our hair has to be greasy or oily at the same time. It doesn't...Thankfully technology and research has afforded us vast offering of moisturizers out there with a ton of benefits...

Which brings me to one of my must haves HUMECTANTS!!! Man, if Obama hadn't won the Presidency, I swear I'd be voting for humectants for President! A humectant is a moisturizing "vehicle" (for lack of a better word) that is benefical to our hair (and skin) . Humectants (like glycerine and honey) draw the moisture from the air. Having a product that has both humectants and oils in it is best (IMO, of course...;) )

Different moisturizers do different things, and everyone's hair responds differently...Some folks swear by shea butter while others swear by olive oil. There's no magic potion, so it's always best to try out different ones to find the one that's best for you. I make my own hair butter with a mixture of shea butter, sweet almond oil, and some other stuff. It works for me...

So here's a list of some great moisturizers that I've tried:

Shea Butter

Olive Oil

Sweet Almond oil

Coconut Oil (Refined, Virgin, or Fractionated)

Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter

Curls Quenched Curls Moisturizer

Oyin Handmade Whipped Pudding

Tress Dressed is NOW open...sorta...

2008-10-24T09:52:00.001-07:00

I've almost got it together! My Esty store is almost up, as is the website http://www.tressdressed.com/. Since I've been getting orders and emails for items, I wanted to get something up in the meantime. Here are pictures of all of the facinators that I have for sell right now. Prices vary, but the goal is for all pieces to be less than $25.00 each (custom orders are the exception, of course). Each piece has been named after either a Diva I'm inspired by, or by the Diva who purchased the orginal piece. Names of items will change with the piece.

Because each fascinator is handmade, no two are exactly alike. Requests for duplicates can be made, however. Thanks for all the love and support!

Welcome to TRESS DRESSED!

Trice $16.50

Stacy $16.50

Senam $20.00

Monique $17.50 (SOLD)

Lauren $16.50

Elizabeth $16.50

Shalonda $16.50

Von $25.00 (SOLD)

Candra $14.50

Barbara $9.50 (SOLD)

Dricka $9.50

April Pink $7.50 (SOLD)

April Blue $7.50 (SOLD)

Jada $21.50

Ambra $16.50

Roda $16.50

Shipping and handling is an additional $5.00. I will combine multiple items into one shipment.

Email me at tressdressed@gmail.com to purchase through PayPal!

Little Mrs. Sunshine!

2008-10-24T07:49:00.000-07:00

I love this Diva. She WORKS it...

Met her on Nappturality years ago, and found that we were "hair cousins", lol! I'd always stalk Mia's album to see what she was doing. She's the reason I dyed my hair...Her color changes every couple of years or so, and she wears it so well! I swear she's so gorgeous and shows just how beautiful natural hair can be. You look at pictures of her with her confidence and beauty and wonder WHY anyone would want to be anything BUT natural. She's truly inspirational. Thanks Mia for being showcased!

Oh and in I'm Not Lye-ing fashion, please spin "Lady Marmalade" (the ORIGINAL by the Labelles) when reading! Thank ya! ::finger snaps::

1. When did you go natural (How long have you been natural)?

I decided to stop relaxing my hair in February of 2003. I got my new growth pressed until about June, when I decided (after being convinced by a friend to just cut it all off) to call my beautician and schedule an appointment to get it all cut off. After I did, I was left with about 2 inches of hair.

2. How did you transition? Braids, weaves, straightening, nothing...

I guess I would say I didn’t even know I was transitioning when I was getting my new growth pressed. So at the time, I wouldn’t have said I was “transitioning”. But, looking back, I guess I did by straightening.

3. How long did you transition?

I transitioned for 4 months.

4. What made you want to go natural?

Well, my mom (and later my sis) cannot get relaxers or hair dye because they are highly allergic.. Several years ago, I started thinking, “hey, maybe this is going to happen to me one day, so what am I going to do?!” Well, I always had liked Aaliyah’s hair, and had long heard that she did not get relaxers. So I said, okay, I’ll give that a shot, too, and start getting it pressed. Now, I decided to go NATURAL after talking with a friend who used to go to my parent’s church. She was already natural and kept telling me, “you should just do it…cut it all off”. She told me about Nappturality, and I started staring for HOURS at a time at all of these beautiful women with their BEAUTIFUL natural hair. So, I said, okay, I’m cutting it!

5. Has going natural changed anything about you?

I think it’s given me more self confidence, really. I can’t say I was really self conscious, but prior to the time when I did go natural, I could never see myself doing something so drastic with my hair. But now I love it…and I don’t care what people think of it.

6. What is your signature style, or what is your favorite style?

Hmm…I’d have to say my signature/favorite style is wearing it out….and as LARGE AS POSSIBLE J

7. Do you have a favorite style?

I love twistouts…and puffs are always handy!

8. What products do you love?

I LOVE Aura’s Rosemary Mint Shampoo and Conditioner. I also kinda love Miss Jessie’s Baby Buttercreme (I’m not really a product junkie).

9. Any advice for the newly natural or transitioning?

LOL…see above…..DON’T GET SUCKED INTO BUYING TOO MANY PRODUCTS! It’s so not worth it! Over the years I’ve learned that less is more, and you don’t need to buy all of these different products to get your hair a certain way…isn’t that just going back to the idea of relaxing, to get the hair to BE a certain way? Just let it BE!

The colder months...

2008-10-21T15:12:00.000-07:00

Okay...As we approach the fall, I have to change my hair routine...

It's really funny. I used to get all stressed out a certain times wondering why my hair was always sooo dry. It didn't occur to me for a long time that it was because of the weather...Duh!

I think that everyone could benefit from switching their hair routine for the cooler months. Especially if you tend to have dry hair like moi. Wearing protective styles, adding humectants, reducing the number of times I wash (co-wash or poo-wash) all help me to maintain length during the winter and keep my hair from drying out...

So starting a couple of weeks ago, I've started wearing my buns and updos. These are my protective styles. I jazz them up with hair doo-dads...For someone else, protective styles may include braids, weaves, twists, etc...Just do something to keep your hair away from the elements for awhile. And I try to comb/brush less.

As far as products are concerned, I up my hot oil treatments. My hair gets SUPA, DUPA DRY in the winter, and sucks up every bit of moisture it comes in contact with...Seriously...

The First Episode of "Trick My Bun"

2008-10-14T17:48:00.000-07:00

Okay...

So I've said in previous posts that I can't do protective styles like braids and twists for longer than a few days...So I've stuck my foot in my mouth by saying I'm going to start tracking my growth and trying to do better with letting it grow...

So since I've been making these really cool hair fascinators, wearing my hair up has become a breeze...

I've started to make and sell hair accessories and fascinators, so if you're interested email me at imnotlyeing@yahoo.com. I'll be setting up an Etsy store shortly!!! The goal is for affordable and fly hair accessories: fascinators, headbands, etc. Stay tuned, and get ready to be supa FLY!!!

Anyway, enough of the commerical break back to our regularly scheduled programming...So wearing it up is the ticket...Ends protected against the elements. I twisted the bun and wrapped the end around the base and secured with a coupla bobby pins...No elastic or anything to stress the hair out...

What chall thank? I've been having so much 'tude everywhere I go, it's crazy...Drinking with my pinky out...'Tootin' my lips and batting my eyes...Sooo "EXTRA" with it all...This is such a great idea to dress up boring buns and "up" styles...Go ahead...Bite the style...Sista Ree doesn't care...

The Fascinating Fascinator

2008-10-12T13:05:00.000-07:00

Boy, looka here...Can't nobody tell me NUTHIN'...Seriously...

So I made a few facinators for my hair this weekend, and let me tell you, they turned out SOOOO HOT!!! HAWT! I wore this one to church, and I stopped traffic. The colors went perfectly with my skintone, and it looked so very unique. The perfect 'fro accessory.

I'mma be making more of these...

Shealoe Butter

2008-10-09T06:39:00.001-07:00

One of my FAVORITE butters is Shealoe...

If you're not into mixing and measuring and such, this is the stuff for you...If you ARE into mixing it's equal parts of shea butter and aloe vera gel (the real dealy-o stuff...). You can get it from the online vendor http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/. You can get a pound of it for about $20.00+shipping, but it truly lasts a long time...

I'm not into "sexy" products. The stuff in the cute packages with the wacked out marketing pictures of some chic with everything BUT the product advertised being used on her hair, does NOTHING for me...I don't buy products because of some celebrity endorsement, or because 50/11 folks are using it. I try to buy products based on their ingredients and what they'll do for me...Okay I'm rambling here...Just needed to get that out. Now back to the subject at hand. Shealoe...

So, what it do, what. it. do? I know, I know...I hear ya...

It helps to keep my tresses moisturized. It's not as heavy as pure shea butter, so if you need a "lighter" product, this one works well for the cost. It doesn't have a scent, so if you're someone that likes scent free products, here ya go...If you do like scent, it takes nothing to add a couple of drops of a fragrance oil or essential oil to make it smell "cRute".

I've got no clue how it works with straigtening, so don't be askin' me that!!!! (neck roll and finger snaps and all the other 'tude that goes along with the statement)

If you want nice fluffy twistouts, use some shealoe with a little gel to make your twists.

Whenever I would wear a BAA (Big "A" Afro), it would always flop...It was discouraging...Shealoe helped with keeping it big. Take a little and massage it over your tresses...Make some fat braids (at least that's how I had to do it...I understand some folks can just pick their situation out and it stays...), the next morning, release and pick it out.

The product has enough "oommpphh" to keep my hair moisturized throughout the day and the fro didn't get dried out...

So there you go, lovelies...

All Hail the Queen!

2008-10-07T08:39:00.000-07:00

When I "met" this sista on Nappturality, we had an "instant" sista girl connection...Let me tell you...She inspired me sooooo much! I would stalk her album, and was always AMAZED at her fierceness and beauty...She's been natural a little longer than I, so by the time I got "hipped" to the information out there about natural hair, SHE was the source of a lot of my learning...Nati was the Diva that I stole all the scarf and earrings with the afro ideas from...I stalked her album every day! She's such a beautiful woman, and so very postive! Nat told me to edit her responses, but I just couldn't...What she says is so powerful, I thought it would be best to let her speak...I'm sure after you read what she says you will agree...

So say hello to Natitwists...Oh, and since I've been preluding each showcase with a song lately, I'mma need yall to bust out, "She's your queen to beeeeeeeeee!!!!" From Coming to America...

1. How long have you been natural?

I've been natural for 7 years 10 months

2. How long did you transisition?

I didn't transition at all. I shaved my head after having a texturizer.

(SHAVED??? REE FAINTS...CARRY ON...)

Nat BC'd TWICE!!! This was after her second chop...I fluffy, puffy, Jell-O heart her for her confidence...

I didn't know at the time that I was going natural but I knew I couldn't deal with that crunchy, hard hair anymore, so I just shaved all my hair off. I loved my hair short. I was tired of waking up looking like Gumby. You remember how Gumby's head was sloped? Well that horrible texturizer used to make my hair so hard and crunchy that I'd wake up with lopsided, brillo pad hair.

3. How did you transition? (braids, weaves, straightening, NOTHING....)

While I didn't transition I did have to transition my mind until I felt confident enough to wear my hair in public. I remember getting braids every summer. Well as I was growing out my TWA I KEPT my hair in braids until one day I realized that i was hiding behind those braids. I had to sit down and take a serious inventory of myself. What was I afraid of? Why did I feel the need to hide behind those braids? I finally told myself that I was taking the braids out and that I'd wear my own hair from now on. The problem was that the day I decided to do this was the day before my class(at work) graduated. I took the braids out, washed my hair, moisturized it and patted my fro. Then after I got dressed I put my armor on because I just KNEW somebody was going to have something crazy to say to me about my hair. I walked into work and everybody stopped talking. My heart was beating like crazy. I was ready to cut the first person that said something out the side their neck, lol. But then, everybody was like ooooooh your hair is soooo pretty! I like your hair, etc. I felt sooo good. I knew the night before that "I" liked what I saw but I didn't know how the world would respond. Seeing all my classmates giving me positive reinforcement helped me shut down the silly notion that I had to be concerned with what others thought about my hair.

Headband+Flower+Earrings=HOTNESS

4. What made you want to go natural?

You know what made me want to go natural? I was tired of my limp, breaking, straight hair. I saw this girl at my job with the CUTEST little curly fro ever and I decided that I wanted my hair like that. My best friend informed me that since I wasn't mixed ***ROLLS EYES HARD**** that I'd need to get a texturizer. I did. Big mistake. I cut that crap out in about 3 months and went natural. I found that my hair was soft and beautiful and that I LOVED it. Additionally as my daughter grew up it became INCREASINGLY important to me that she see herself as beautiful. Well how could I expect her to love herself if her own mother didn't love every aspect of herself? You know? I wanted her to know that everything about her, from her rich skintone to the naps on her head were beautiful and worthy of love and adoration. I knew I needed to be the FIRST example, and so I decided that I would be. Knowing that I was providing my daughter with the gift of self love and self esteem helped me stay the course. I must also mention, even though I'm loathe to mention it, that part of the reason I went natural had to do with my ex boyfriend. He would always tell me that my hairstyles weren't the REAL me. That always puzzled me. How could they not be me? Was I not the one wearing them? He'd always tell me that I should go natural, but I'd always give him the fisheye and tell him that he was just mad because I was constantly getting hit on, lol. Then one day it finally hit me what he meant and I realized that he was right all along.. That is one fact that he never let me live down...

5. How does being natural make you feel about yourself? Has the decision changed anything about you?

Being natural makes me feel beautiful. Honestly it does, even when I'm not having the best hair day (which is not often) I feel my best when I am wearing my napps on display. My hair in its unadulterated state says to the world that I am confident and proud of my heritage and I LAUGH in the face of the media when they try to tell me through pictures and hair products and weave that the only way I can be beautiful is if I emulate a Eurocentric view of beauty. That view was never meant for me so I feel no need to emulate it. Being natural has made me more confident. I know that nobody else has this fluffy, cotton candy, fine, thin stuff and that makes me special. I'm not just the next chick with a wrap or a weave.

Nat...I aint foolin' with you...This is waay too HOT!

6. What do you love about being natural?

I love the self confidence that being natural invokes. I also love seeing little brown girls seeing a chocolate sistah with nappy hair doing her thang. It's all about planting seeds. I also love when people come to me about transitioning, it's a wonderful feeling to know that you've inspired someone to stop "lyeing" to themselves. :)

7. Do you have favorite products?

Yes I have favorite products. My hands down all time favorite products are Sta-so-fro moisturizing spray. I LOVE this stuff. It is the only moisturizer that works on my hair and keeps it moist for dayyyyys. My other must have product is Wen Cleansing Conditioners. I LOVE this product, especially the Fig which is formulated for fine hair. Because I am a strict no-pooer, I use conditioner to wash my hair and these conditioners impart moisture and they get your hair clean without harsh chemicals. I also MUST have VO5 Kiwi & Lime Clarifying Conditioner for buildup and for when I want a good wash. (since I don't use many products I rarely have buildup though)

8. What are your signature styles?

I think my signature styles are puffs. I love puffs because you can dress them up or down. I love wearing my own hair in puffs but lately I've been experimenting with afro textured weave in order to keep my own hair protected while rocking a natural style. My other signature style would definitely have to be yarn twists. Since I've learned to do them 2 years ago I can't go a couple months without wearing them. They are easy, light and natural looking protective style.

Nat's Yarn Twists...Hmm....These look awesome!!!

Directions in her Fotki, below...

9. What advice would you give to transitioners or newly nappy?

My adivce to transitioners and newly nappy ladies is to make sure that you are doing this for YOU. At the end of the day we must be happy with ourselves. It doesn't matter WHO doesn't like it or has something to say, you MUST feel good about yourself. Stay strong and remember that everything GOD makes is beautiful. HE made you unique from the get go, why rush out to be a copy of someone else? Surround yourself with photos of natural women in various situations, i.e.,weddings, corporate america, playing, going out. When you are surrounded by beautiful people that look like you it helps you maintain perspective. It lets you know that going natural is NOT difficult, it IS doable and you WILL get whatever job you want, ANY man you want and have a wonderful life all with a head full of napps just like your non nappy friends do.

(sigh)...I loves me some Nat!!! Thanks so much Nat, you're a doll baby! And if yall need some inspriation...Check out ya girl's Fotki... http://public.fotki.com/natitwists/ It's the truth...For real, for real...

By request!

2008-10-06T08:36:00.000-07:00

I got a request for my 'Licious Hair butter, so here it is...

for 16 oz.

8 oz Unrefined (or Raw) Shea Butter
4 oz Sweet Almond Oil
1 oz Glycerine
1 oz Castor Oil
2 oz Rose Water (or distilled water)

Zap the Shea in the microwave for about 20 seconds just to loosen it up (may be a little longer depending on your microwave, but you want it to be soft but DEFINITELY not melted). Mix it with in a blender (or by hand if you're Super Woman), until it's fluffy...Slowly add in the oils mixing constantly (important to whip to get air incorporated into the situation), finally when everything is smooth and blended, add the rose water...TAH DAH!!!!

This hair butter is pretty light, as straight shea butter is too heavy for my hair. It will literally melt in your hands. Store in a jar for I've got no clue how long because I usually can't keep this stuff in the house...I give it to friends and family...

Tracking the growth

2008-10-03T19:23:00.000-07:00

I've started this blog, but I've never showcased myself...Though I'm a card carrying, dues paying, yearly convention attenting Attention Skank, it never crossed my mind that I needed to show pics of what I'm doing with my 'do...In all honesty, I'm not doing much, so I don't have any supa fly shots of my hair like I did during years 3 and 4. But now that I've started to track my growth, I've pulled out my digital camera and will start documenting my progress...and taking pics of my own styles...(Seems a little bogus to have a blog with not many pictures of what I'M doing)...Anyhoo, here's where my hair is thus far....

I used to pay more attention to the growth...Took comparison shots and everything, I don't know what happened...I fell off, man...

In spite of me, it's growing well. It's still not thick, but I've learned to accept that to SOME degree. One thing that I've been doing that I may stop doing (to see what happens) is trimming. I love to snip those ends, let me tell you...The last "good" trim I got was the day of my wedding, lol...That was over 3 months ago...I'm going to pay attention to my ends to see what happens...I'm also going to go ahead and start wearing protective styles...For me that means buns and updos as I can't maintain twists and such for longer than a few days and that makes me wanna fight considering ALL of the time it takes to get those suckers in...

I usually wear my hair "out" which isn't very good if you're trying to grow your hair. Wearing it out a lot dries it out just because it's subject to the elements. It requires EXTRA moisturization and attention...

The easiest thing about having my hair relaxer free is that I can wash (co-wash or poo wash) whenever I get good and ready...In the summer time, I usually get up in the morning, wash my hair in the shower and let it air dry on my way to work...Can you imagine how many people stop me and say..."Umm...Is your hair WET?" Me: Umm, yeah...Why? LOL...It's always from other African American women. It's a shame...for real, for real...Having natural hair has become so easy over the years. I don't have to "wrap" my hair EVERY night...plug in the curling iron or flat iron...Roll my hair at night...I just tie it down at night with a satin scarf, get up in the a.m., hit it with some concoction spritz and either go or clip it up. Because it's so easy, I'll admit I've gotten a bit lazy. I get up and just go "eh"...Luckily, I LOVE my hair, so I usually just let her "do what she does"...

Although it's really easy, I do have my own hair challenges. Because it's really fine, if I'm not careful, my styles can look a little "Beetle Juice-ish" LOL...Seriously...I'm constantly "Jujshing" (word I got from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy) my hair to make volume and fullness...I bend at the waist and flip my hair over and squeeze my hair in my hands...That's the only thing that makes it as BIG and full as I want it...

I think that lengthwise, I'm happy with it...It could be longer without a doubt, but I haven't focused on length. I'm going to do that for the next 6 months or so just because I want to monitor it. Now that I've stopped coloring my hair, I've noticed that I don't have to condition as often (I was doing it twice a week) and I'm maintaining the length. I love to see hair color, but I don't forsee myself coloring as it takes waaaayyyy too much TLC for my nerves...Color treated hair takes A LOT more conditioning and moisturizing...

What am I using right now??? It's very simple. I'm washing with Curls Curlicious Curl Cleansing Cream, conditioning with Pantene Replenishing Mask, and following up with my "concoction", then adding my homemade hair butter at the end when the "concoction" is almost dry. My hair butter is 'licious...Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Olive Oil, Rose Water, Castor Oil and Glycerine...All whipped up...I Poo wash every week. If and when I need to co-wash in between, I'll use Suave Humectant.

My piece of advice to new nappies or transitioners. Learn YOUR hair...Things that work for me, may not work for you, and vice versa. Take the time to pay attention to what your hair needs. There are no "holy grail" products, methods or styles. If I had a dollar for every time somebody made suggestions for how to make my twists last longer (for example) I'd be a dog gone Dollar-aire (LOL). I've learned to accept what MY hair will do...

Okay...that's enuff...

Stay tuned for another Nappy Showcase...One of my "Nappy" relatives, from Dallas will be gracing the blog VERY soon...

Peace!

Give us free!!!

2008-09-26T21:39:00.000-07:00

Lawd! Jesus! Sweet Baby Jesus...

Looka here-ra...Can we talk? Seriously...Naw...We aint bout to talk...I'm bout to preach...

One of the things I get sometimes from women is HOW to get their hair "curly"...These questions ALWAYS come from the newly nappy or actively transitioning. Oftentimes we get an image in our heads of HOW we want our hair to look without understanding that we need to learn to accept and love what we have...

Sure, I have a TON of products and such listed on this blog, but at the end of the day, I live with the premise of the products aid and enhance what you have...Products are suppose to improve your situation (moisturize, condition, aid in STYLING), NOT create something that's not there in the first place. I don't care HOW much you spend on x,y,z product...This natural hair journey isn't about a cute style or texture...It's about loving and acceptING what God has given YOU...

PREACH REE! I'm tryin'...

So...what do you do...? First...dunk your head in water...When you come out of the water, what do you see? Curls??? Like for real...Don't be pulling out the magnifying glass, either...Yes, well then THERE YOU GO...No, then THERE YOU GO...There's nothing out there that is going to CREATE curls...Well let me adjust that statement...If you pile on like a ton of it, you probably will "make" something happen, but you'll also look like you're rockin' a SERIOUS jherri curl...If you have to use significantly MORE product than what the directions call for, you need to go to jail...Please, stop...

We need to work on LOVING what we've been born with...Embrace what you have been blessed with. I understand that society has totally JACKED us and made us believe that our texture and hair aren't beautiful, but it's up to US to change that perspective...

I've heard it said that the African American community sets the trends for popular culture...Why not hair as well???? I think it has something to do with us...Seriously...If Shaniqua can "Drop it like it's hot" with so much confidence, why can't she ALSO wear her NATURAL crown of glory with the same confidence??? I don't TOTALLY buy the "society did this to me" or "men have devalued women"...We have to take responsibility for ourselves and look in the mirror and start accepting EXACTLY what we see...

We're beautiful...With all of our kinks and coils...We're gorgeous with our 80% shrinkage...We're sexy with our poofs... Be encouraged...Seriously...If this offended anyone...I'm DEEPLY sorry...I'm just telling it like I see it...Love what God has given you...WHATEVER it is...We're fearfully and wonderously made...in PERFECTION...

Let's sing... Come on!!!!!!!!

Product Update!!!

2008-09-23T16:11:00.001-07:00

Okay...So a few posts back I posted about trying E'Tae Products. I ordered the Caramel because I got a great recommendation from a girl friend. It came in the mail and I did the treatment...I must say I'm VERY disapointed. I'm not disappointed with the results, I'm disapointed with the product and its cost. Here's why (and I'm not knocking the company at all...I'm just expressing how I feel)...

First off the products ingredients are: Honey, olive oil, bananas, molasses, corn starch, water, vinegar, and wheat germ oil. ALL natural...It gets a perfect 10 for that. BUT $15 for 8oz is reDONKulous. Why? Honestly, it's very similar to the honey/olive oil conditioner that I've posted. Use the same recipe and add some of the aforementioned ingredients, and there you go...SERIOUSLY...It's the same stuff...

I could have made significantly more of this myself at home for the same price. So with some research, I made my own and here's what I did:

Honey 1/2 cup

olive oil 1/4 cup

overripe bananas - 2

molasses 1/8 cup

acv -2 tsp.

Wheat germ oil - 2 tsps

Mash the heck out of the bananas until they look like pudding...You don't want chunks of banana in your hair, so get to mashing...OR get some banana baby food...more expensive, but you don't have to mash...Add the ingredents together and mix until well blended...Put the ingredients in a squirt bottle for ease of application. Part hair into 4 sections and apply. Cover hair with a plastic cap and sit under a heat cap for 30 minutes or so...Rinse well. You can proceed with either a co- wash, Apple Cider Vinegar rinse or sulfate free shampoo...

TAH freaking DAH!!!

Same dang on result...Seriously...

...and don't get me started on the Nutrient product...Got that too...It's mainly vinegar...Just do an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse and you're pretty much good to go...I'm shame I spent $10 on it...I was curious...::ree leaves with head hanging::

Girls Dem Sugar...

2008-09-12T08:25:00.000-07:00

Please pop in Beenie Man's "Girls Dem Sugar" for this post and sing along with me...
Zagga zow, ziggy zow, zagga zow.....

(Sim Simma) Beenie Man ah di girls dem sugar(Sim Simma) Di girls dem world class lover...

Okay...that's enough, lol!!!! You know...The cutie patootie I'm showcasing today lives in the Bahamas...I have NO clue if she has a Caribbean accent, but EVERY. SINGLE. TIME I read her posts on Brown and Bridal, I read them with an accent, lol!!!! So, even if you don't Gia...I'mma need you to let me stay in my illusion...thank you very much...

Resume song please...

People...I give you the GORGEOUS....THE NEWLY MURRRRIED, THE TRANSITIONING...GIAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! ::Ree drops mic::

Gia has decided to start transitioning. She's really gung-ho about it too...It's quite refreshing to see her posts about hair, and getting PMs from her are always a joy...She actually LISTENS and takes advice really well.....I asked her to be on I'm Not Lying because since I've started this blog, I've been getting a lot of emails and PM's regarding transitioning, and I thought I'd let ya'll get it "sKraigt" from the source. It's been 7 years since I transitioned (BC'd in 2002 after transitioning for a year) and there are some experiences that, frankly I've forgotten...So enjoy!!!!

For how long did you relax your hair? from about 7th grade. my paternal aunts did it b/c my hair was "too hard"...not that they were responsible for fixing my hair or anything.

What made you want to stop? 1. my hair never looked perm. I am sick and tired of walking out of the salon or wherever and have people who know me say..."girl when you gonna perm this?". that was just annoying on so many levels! 2. my scalp is UBER sensitive and I have suffered sooo many burns from relaxers over the years...NOTHING worked and b/c my hair was so course, I couldn't use 'mild' relaxers.3 . I have been fascinated with natural since about 12th grade..just never thought I could hack it..cause I was always told "your hair is so hard/thick/course- you need a perm"

How do you feel about the transition process? very excited. at first I was scared i would always look like a HAM and people would be negative but I have found a good supportive 'network' and that has helped me to change my own outlook.

Do you have challenges? keeping my hands out of it...I wanna see roots and get rid of the relaxed ends NOW. but seriously, my hair has always been thick and full and healthy. so far so good- no challengesWhat do you think you will gain by not relaxing? FREEDOM. I used to literally have to psyc myself up to get relaxers and I was very limited. I am looking forward to being a chameleon, to no more burned scalps and for my hair to thrive!

What are some changes that you have made already? (overall health, length, etc.) i've stopped/minimized using products with sulphates and petroleum. for the past 6 wks I have been using more homemade treatments/conditioners. and now I am wearing a sew-in weave as a protective style.

How long are you planning to transition? 15 mons...with mini cuts in between styles. If I have sufficient length by the 12 month mark, I will probably cut!

Have you had any surprises or “ah-ha!” moments regarding your hair, products, etc.???? sooo many but most about products and hair care. I am so much more educated now about overall hair/skin care since I seriously began considering transitioning. I haven't had any surprises yet specifically with my hair. I feel this is like being pregnant and choosing not to find out what sex your baby will be!

Thanks GIA!!!

Gia is doing great with her transition!!! I love the versatility with her styling. She's not just sticking to weaving or straightening...She's mixing it up, which is a good thing, in my opinion. She's getting the opportunity to learn how to style her hair, use better products and learn some serious patience! Look at her cuteness!!!!

me experimenting with braids...i've always tried to 'stretch' perms..this was me expanding my options...before I officially decided to transition..

my love for straw set. my thick hair always gives a nice curl that lasts for about 2weeks..I'll definitely be using this style during this transtition...

Cornrows at night....

now..by day. this usually last about 2-3 days depending on whether or not I exercise...

Currently the sew-in....

Transitioning

2008-09-06T00:08:00.000-07:00

I LOVE to hear women tell me they are going to stop relaxing their hair. Back when I went natural in 2002, I didn't know anyone who transitioned. It was such a foreign concept in my world. Now, only 6 years later, it seems like EVERYONE is transitioning. I know that's an exaggeration, but it really feels that way. At work, there are 3 women at different stages of transitioning that I've been helping from their decision to now. Whenever I meet people, I always get the "I really want to go natural, but I'm scared" responses, or I get "How did you go natural?" questions. I've seen some naturals get offended by it as if we're some science project, but it doesn't offend me at all. The more the merrier is my thought process, and even more I wish I had someone to help me when I made the same decision...

Transitioning takes a certain type of mindset. It takes courage, patience, and seriously thick skin. It takes a lot of humility as you literally have to throw away everything you think you know about hair and start anew. And finally, it takes acceptance. Accepting (finally...) what God has made and loving it. Transitioning involves not only ones hair, but ones mind as well...

Once you decide to transition, you'll need to decide HOW you want to do it. Many people choose to transition in different ways...Some choose to wear braids or weaves, some choose to straighten, while others (like me) choose to just let it grow out without the aforementioned...Each of these methods has pros and cons, and knowing what they are can help you decide HOW you want to go about the process...And truth be told, you can choose to do all three of them throughout your transition.

Braids and Weaves:

Wearing braids and weaves allows you to pretty much stay out of your hair. They give your hair the much needed rest from the abuse of combing and heat. They help you get used to the idea of not relaxing. They're like a security blanket. The down side of these is that you're not giving yourself a chance to learn about what's going on with your hair while it's growing out. You may find that when you FINALLY take the braids and weaves out you're overwhelmed by the texture, unsure of how to style it, unsure of what to use on it, and still very insecure about its length and texture. Also, braids and weaves can be quite damaging if worn too long and too often. Too tight braids pulling your hair out and just the sheer weight of the braids can weaken your already tramatized tresses...Give your hair long periods of rest between them, and get them done professionally, please. Let the folks who do these styles, professionally tell you how to maintain them...

Straightening the new growth and gradually chopping or trimming the relaxer out:

Surprisingly, this would seem like the easiest and most popular process, because it seems like it's more of the same, but of all of the women that I help with transitioning, this is done the least. I'm not sure why. I'm confident that it's just in my circle as there are so many websites that I've seen where women go natural this way. Straightening while transitioning allows you to keep doing what you've always done, you're only changing one major thing...Relaxing...You still get to wear your hair straight, and if this is most important to you, this seems the best choice. The flip side to this is that at the end of the day, you still may not be learning about YOUR hair. Heat styling WILL damage your natural texture over time (it can take heat ONE time to jack your texture), and keep it from thriving and being as healthy as it can be. This blog is about living without the LYE, so I totally understand women who choose to wear their hair in straight styles. If you choose to transition by getting it straightened, understand what that entails. Two of my really good friends are naturals with hair to the middle of their backs...They've NEVER had a relaxer, yet they've always wore their hair straightened. They've learned their hair...They practice good hair care...They both only use heat once every week or every two weeks when they get it washed and conditioned. They wear protective styles. They don't use harsh products like hairsprays and alcohol laden gels, they don't wear braids, weaves, or anything that may add additional stress to their tresses...

Just letting it "do what it do":

This is what I did. Folks that let it grow out and learn to work with the 2 textures are a very special bunch. This process requires the most patience, humility, and thickest of skin. Women transitioning this way are the ones who hear "Girl, whatchu doin' to your hair?" the most...We're the ones who go from looking a HAM one day to "Dannnnggg, your hair is HAWT", once we learn how to do a twist out or straw set with the two textures. We get to wake up in the morning, part our hair and giggle at alllllll the "new growth"...This transitioner is better eased into her naturalness (IMO). There is no security blanket of braids or weaves or the mask of straightening the new growth to keep us shielded from our God-given tresses...The downside to doing this is that it's frustrating dealing with the 2 textures consistently. You sometime experience breaking because of the fight with the 2 textures, and styling may be more of challenge.

Decide how long you're going to transition. Set a goal date for yourself. Some people transition for weeks and wear the shortest of short TWAs (Teeny Weeny Afro), while some transition for a year or more. Decide the length of the transition, but don't beat yourself up if you need to extend it, and go get yourself some chocolate if you decide to shorten the time...It's all up to you. Setting a goal for the ending of the transition helps with the process...

If you decide to straighten, plllllleeeeeaaaaasssseeee don't let it just break off. Please do deep trims and "mini chops" to get the relaxer out. At the end of the day, it's about learning about better hair care, in my opinion, and just letting it break off is NOT a good start to that....

Find a hair buddy or mentor to help you with your transition. Hopefully this person has similar hair goals as you. For example, if you're dead set against straighening, your mentor shouldn't be someone who's ALWAYS straightend their hair...

Be realistic in your expectations...Better yet, don't have any. Don't have expectations of what your want your hair to look like. When I first started transitioning, I was WISHING for really, really thick hair. I thought that the relaxer kept my hair really fine...Guess what? I just have fine hair...I was majorly disappointed when I couldn't get a for real, for real big afro...I could get one, but it soon started flopping over...I never have been able to wear really cute twists...My hair is just too fine. I've learned to accept that, and as a result, I've learned to just let my hair "do what it does", and that's when I feel it's most fabulous.

Understand that going natural is not going to benefit your wallet necessarily...Sure you're not going to have to spend the next million years in the salon, shelling out a millions to get your hair "did", but you WILL be spending money on the next "it" cream you heard about...It's inevitable. We all do it...I've spend a small fortune on hair products over the years learning what I did and didn't like on my hair. And if you're getting braids and weaves, you know how much that can cost to get them done. Understand it...accept it...

Start playing with your hair. As the new growth comes in, don't turn your nose up at the "puffiness", rather begin to see that it's getting you closer to your goal. Stand in the mirror and look at the "new growth" and cheer those napps on...Seriously...Repeat after me, "MORE NAPPS, MORE NAPPS, MORE NAPPS!!!" LOL...The more new growth I got the more I got the "itch" to chop. I started trying to style only the natural part of my hair to see what it was going to do, lol...

Commit to using better products. Better products are going to cost more than the crap we've been using over the years...I have a girl friend who is transitioning and I sent her to a couple of sites for products and you would have thought I asked her to rob a bank. She said, "Girl, those products are too expensive!!!" I was like, "Dude, you JUST stopped shelling out $45 to $65 every two weeks at the salon for a wash, blow dry and flat iron...Those products may cost about the same, but they'll last you like....4 to 6 months???" She quickly did the math in her head and said, "OOps...My bad..." Yeah...We've GOT to do better in this department. We've gone from shelling out major dollars for our hair in its relaxed state to scared to peel off a dollar for products that will actually help our situation out. Better products include using sulfate free shampoos, conditioners and hair moisturizers that contain TONS of natural oils and butters...Companies like: Carol's Daughter, Curls, Oyin, Quemet Biologics, Long Lovely Locks, ABBA, Eucelene, My HoneyChild, Anita Grant, Treasured Locks, Aubrey's Organics, Nadia, J/A/S/O/N, Burts Bee's and sooo many others, make very good products for our hair without the harsh, crappy ingredients.

Start documenting your progress. This was MOST helpful for me. I didn't learn about hair sites and hair albums until 2 years after I chopped all my relaxer off, but I would have LOVED to document what was going on. Once I started documenting the size of my afros, I became soooo excited about my decision. Documenting the progress wil help to keep the spark alive...ESPECIALLY on those days when you feel like saying "THE HECK WITH THIS"...You can pull up pictures of yourself at different stages and see how far you've come...You can look at pictures when you were REALLY, REALLY struggling and say, "Oh, okay...TODAY isn't THAT bad ..." It gives you a great point of reference...

And finally, relax! It's all going to work out in the end...

The IT Girl

2008-09-04T08:42:00.000-07:00

This Tia...

Tia is that natural chick that you ALWAYS wanted hair like hers...She's always wearing it in some fly style, and you just want to walk up to her and sink your fingers into her Fro. She's that chick that you look at sideways and suck your teeth and say, "She think she cute...." She's also the same diva that people always talk to her hair...(If you've never gotten your hair talked to, it's an interesting experience, trust)...

Tia is gracing the blog with a new perspective...SOMEBODY WHO HAS NEVA, EVA HAD A RELAXER (*shocks*)

Introducing, MRS. Tia...

How long have you been natural?-Since the day I was born. My mother never relaxed her hair or ours.

How do you describe your hair?-THICK! I am not sure about the type because 3 different textures going on. The back looks like I have 'mixed' hair, the sides are really curly but the middle is kinky.

Favorite products?-Shea butter. My number one must have. I use it every way possible.

I wonder how many people ask her if that puff is real????

Worst product you've ever used? Why?-Hair spray aka 'Spritz'. I can't stand the stuff. It made my hair hard, brittle, sticky, and just plan sick looking.

How do you wear it for work?-I love my puff and a twist out for work. They are both really quick to do. Just fluff and go.

How often do you wash and condition?-I don't shampoo often but I do co-wash 1-3 times a week. In the summer I may actually co wash everyday but that is because I sweat. As far as shampooing I try not to do it more than every other week unless my hair really needs cleansing.

What do you love about your hair?-The versatility. I feel like I can do so much more with my hair in its natural state and I love the fact that I don't blend in with the crowd. No one remembers the girl with the straight hair but if you have a huge fro you get all the attention.

Fro so big you can barely get it in the picture....

Do you have any hair goals?-Only to continue to have healthier hair. I am considering locs but that is still up in the air. I have reached the length I desired and I am very happy with what I have.

What is (are) your staple style (s)?-That changes with the season. In the spring I rock twists and cornrows, in the summer wash n go's, then in the fall and winter twist outs & braid outs.

Can you believe she did these HERSELF!!!!!!!

Do you have any hair challenges? -Not really. I need one. Any suggestions?

Any advice to transisitioners or newly naturals?-Don't do everything that everyone tells you. Your hair is different from the next, so trial and error should be your best friend until you find out what your hair likes. Also, being natural is more than just a fashion statement-it takes time, effort, and patience but if you stay dedicated the results will be worth it.

Product site...

2008-09-01T15:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been gone for a minute...Been working on my wedding pictures...You know, for all the email's I get with questions and such, y'all show can't comment on the dang blog...(ree rolls eyes and smacks lips)...Anyhoo...back on track now...

One of my online BFF's (Mo) hipped me to this site. http://www.etaeproducts.com/. She swears by the caramel product. The site's discription of the product says:

Deep penetrating, reconstructing hair treatment. It contains olive oil, honey, and other natural ingredients that contain vitamins and minerals. Carmel strengthens, conditions, and moisturizes the hair leaving it soft, shiny, bouncy, and full of life.

Mo says this stuff is the bomb.com...I'm very tempted to try it..Only problem is that the site doesn't have the size of the product, and it's a bit pricey...$15.00 for something...not sure...an ounce..a gallon...what???

I'm going to contact them to find out the size of that bottle before I purchase...Stay tuned...

Conditioners

2008-08-27T07:13:00.000-07:00

Conditioners are essential for natural hair. Shoot, I'mma say hair PERIOD, but for the sake of this blog, we're focusing on the nappy hair...

There are different types of conditioners for different types of hair needs...There's a zillion brands and formulations...Finding the right conditioner has been likened to finding the Holy Grail. Why? Because a good conditioner can do so much to make the sometimes ROAR of naural hair purr like a kitten...Conditioners add the shine, managability, body, etc. that we look for...

When choosing a conditioner and trying them out, it's always best to try it out on clarified hair. Hair that has been thoroughly cleaned from other gunk and junk build up (ACV rinses are my favorite...Clarifying shampoos have sulfates which I don't care for). Don't just clarify for trying out purposes only, but period. Conditioners have a tendancy to build up after a while, so clarifying about once a month is always a good idea to keep your condish working at its optimum level.

Types of condish: (from http://www.askabeauty.com/hair-conditioner-types.htm)

1. Crème rinse:

2. Instant conditioners

3. Deep conditioners

4. Body builders

5. Hair repair

6. Herbal rinses

Of all the products that I've tried over the years, I've tried conditioners out the most....Probably 3 to 1...What I look for in a conditoner are:

1. Moisturizing

2. Slip (the property that breaks the hair down and makes the hair "slippery" and combable (for detangling)

3. Humectants

My hair can get dry, so conditioners can can do the above help me A LOT!!!

Here is a list of great conditioners broken down by type:

Instant (no particular order):

1. Aussie 3 Minute Miracle

2. Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious Conditioner (seriously over priced, but it's good)

3. Suave Humectant

4. Pantene Pro-V Nourishing Moisture Replenishing Mask

5. Creme of Nature

6. Nadia Avocado Conditioner

Deep Conditioners

1. Elucence Moisture Balancer Conditioner

2. Cat Walk Oatmeal and Honey

3. ABBA Nourishing Conditioner

4. Carol's Daughter Tui Hair Smoothie (can be used as an instant as well)

5. Curls Curl Ecstacty Hair Tea

6. Nadia Banana Brulee Moisturizing Deep Conditioner

7. Jason Mint & Rose Intense Moisture Treatment

8. Burt's Bees Hair Repair Shea & Grapefruit Deep Conditioner

Protein (use very, very sparingly)

1. Aubrey's Organics GPB

2. Aphogee Hair Reconstructor

Leave-Ins

1. Oyin's Greg Juice

2. Jane Carter Solution Revitalizing leave-om

3. Aussie Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner

4. Nexxus Weightless Leave-In Conditioner

Homemade Conditioning treatments:

Avocado/Mayo Deep Conditioner (from http://www.pioneerthinking.com/conditioner1.html)

1 small jar of real mayonnaise
1/2 of an avocado

Directions

Put together in a medium bowl and squish together with your hands until it's a minty green color. Smooth into hair all the way to the tips. Put on a shower cap or wrap your head with saran wrap.
Leave on for 20 minutes. For deeper conditioning put a hot, damp towel around your head -over the saran wrap. And if you have really long hair and only need deep conditioning at the ends, cut the ingredients in half and apply only to the ends and just wrap them.

Tropical Conditioner (http://hmbeautyrecipes.homestead.com/HAIRconditioner.html)

Ingredients:
1 peeled and mashed Avocado
1 cup Coconut milk

Directions:
Combine mashed avocado with some coconut milk in a small bowl. Heat in microwave for approx. 45 seconds. Stir. Test temperature. Massage mixture into hair.Wrap hair in a hot towel or cover with shower cap for 15 minutes. Shampoo & rinse out.

Honey Conditioner (http://hmbeautyrecipes.homestead.com/HAIRconditioner.html)

Ingredients:
1 tsp honey
2 Tbs olive oil
1 egg yolk.

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in small bowl. Massage on hair in small sections. Wrap head with shower cap for 30 minutes. Rinse and shampoo

Honey/Olive Oil Conditioner

1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup of oilve oil

Directions
Mix ingredients in a small bowl. Heat in microwave for 20 seconds. Slather on hair in sections. Wrap head with plastic cap, then wrap with warm towel. Leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse and shampoo.

Mrs. Saucy...

2008-08-27T06:49:00.002-07:00

I love this girl! She's such a doll...Whenever she smiles, you can't help but get all warm and fuzzy inside...I've never met her in person, but she's been an online buddy of mine for about a year. We planned our weddings together on The Knot and Brown And Bridal. And you should see her photos!!!! Amazing...Anyhoo...

Kendra, a.ka. Busybodyk is a natural in ATL. She's got great fiery kinks and coils. I literally squealed when she agreed to be showcased on I'm Not Lye-ing. Thanks Kendra!!!

1. How long did you transition? - 9 months. I braided my hair, did twist sets and even straightened it a time or two.

2. When did you BC - About 9 months after my last perm. I couldn't take it anymore! LOL I loved the feel of my natural hair growing in. It felt so soft and nice. My ends felt like straw and the spot where they met was a tangled mess. Styling became hard and I was tired of braids. It was time but I was nervous. I asked my boyfriend (now husband) to meet me at the hair dresser after it was cut. He was so sweet, telling me how beautiful I was and took me out for drinks to celebrate. We ran into some friends and they loved my new look. I had a huge smile. I couldn't get over how great I looked. I fell in love with my hair for the first time ever. Now its a full blown love affair.

3. How do you style from day to day? Do you style differently for work? - Most days during the winter I do a roller set. This style is good for casual and work. I normally set it on Sunday so its tightly curled on Monday and the curls get looser by Friday. By the weekend my hair looks really cool and I can get it to look wild or tame. In the summer I wash n go using Kinky Curly Curling Custard. I wear a fro or pull my hair up into a high puff most days. These are really easy looks to achieve. Most days I spend 5 minutes or less on my hair.

4. Have you ever gotten negative feedback for your choice to be natural at work? - No. I don't think anyone at work has a problem with it. I have never felt embarrassed or had people make comments on my hair other than positive ones. I even went on job interviews and got a new job with natural hair. One thing I have noticed is that my hair doesn't make that much of a difference unless you are focused on it. Outside of work, I have gotten the most compliments from black men. Sometimes they want to touch my hair and they seem like they have more respect for me or something (interesting).

5. What are your favorite styles? -I love to: Twist set -

Puff -

6. What are your favorite products? Shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, leave-in, moisturizer...Shampoo - Elucence Moisture Benefits ShampooConditioner - Elucence Moisture Balancing ConditionerLeave in conditioner - Mixed Chicks leave in ConditionerSetting lotion/foam - IC Styling Foam (no alcohol!)Moisturizer - Miss Jessies Baby Buttercream

7. Do you have any hair goals? I just want my hair to be healthy.

8. Do yo have any challenges with your hair that you're working through? i.e. styling challenges, growth challenges, etc. How are you addressing them? - My hair not growing as fast as I would like. I thought my natural hair would grow faster. I don't think it is but I am over it. I just want healthy hair. I think I'm doing a good job at that.

9. Has your decision to be natural changed anything about you? - I think I feel so much better about the way I look, even on BAD hair days. It just doesn't affect me as much. I don't even like the way my hair looks straight anymore. I think I've gained a new kind of respect for my hair and what it does naturally but at the same time I know I am not my hair.

Her Fotki hair album: http://members.fotki.com/NaturallyKendra/about/

It's a DANG conspiracy!!!

2008-08-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

For so long Cream of Nature has made a decent sulfate free shampoo...I've told many women who were trying to go "sulfate free" about it...

So I'm in Wally World this past weekend looking at the hair products (something I can't help but do) and I notice their new spa-type packaging...

THEY'RE SHAMPOOS HAVE SULFATES NOW!!! BOOOO!!!!!

I'm standing in the aisle in shock...I'm going off, going from one formulation to the next and SLAMMING the bottle down on the shelf...My poor husband is looking around like, "Lawd, help this child"...

Apparently, the Cream of Nature geniuses have paid attention to the fact that there's a market out there for women of color who are in search of more natural spa-like products...What they're OBVIOUSLY missing is that these same women are paying atttention to the ingredients in the shampoos!!! (Or at least that's my logic)...They've started formulating the new shampoo with these wonderful sounding spa ingredients, and to die for marketing with a description like this:

Organic Kiwi & Citrus Ultra Moisturizing Shampoo gently cleanses, detangles, and conditions while infusing dry, brittle hair with moisture derived from Kiwi fruit.

But at the end of the day, the've added sulfates...It's second on the dang ingredient list! What they SHOULD have said was "Here...rub some boo-boo in your hair! It's fresh!" What's that all about? I mean for real...It's like building a house on an industrial waste site....Who cares that it's a 10,000 square foot mansion with marble floors and such...It's built on a dang on dump!!! Talkin' 'bout some Moist Kiwi & Citrus...What? Do I look like Boo-Boo the Fool? I'm insulted...

BUSTERS!!!!! UGGGHHH!!!!

Here's the new ingredient list to the Kiwi & Citrus offering:

Ultra-Purified Water - Aqua , Sodium Laureth Sulfate , Cocamidopropyl Betaine , Glycol Stearate , Peppermint Leaf Extract - Mentha Piperita , Basil Extract - Ocimum Basilicum , Polygala Senega Root Extract , Watercress Extract - Nasturtium Officinale , Sage Leaf Extract - Salvia Officinalis , Thyme Extract - Thymus Vulgaris , Rosemary Leaf Extract - Rosmarinus Officinalis , Grapefruit Seed Extract - Citrus Grandis , Kiwi Fruit Extract - Actinidia Chinensis , Peppermint Oil - Mentha Piperita , Lime Oil - Citrus Aurantifolia , Spearmint Leaf Oil - Mentha Viridis , Coconut Oil - Cocos Nucifera , Allantoin , Tocopheryl Acetate , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice , Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein , Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch , Wheat Amino Acids , Amodimethicone , Butylene Glycol , PEG-12 Dimethicone , Polyquaternium-10 , Polyquaternium-59 , Glycerin , Citric Acid , Polysorbate 20 , Fragrance - Parfum , Clove Flower Oil - Eugenia Caryophyllus , Orange Oil - Citrus Aurantium Dulcis , Grapefruit Seed Oil - Citrus Grandis , Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil , Benzyl Salicylate , Citronellol , Coumarin , Hydroxycitronellal , Limonene , Linalool , Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone , Methylparaben , Propylparaben , Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone , Yellow 5 - CI 19140 , Yellow 6 - CI 15985 , Caramel

FI-YAH!!!!

2008-08-19T12:01:00.000-07:00

Please play the Ohio Player's cut "Fire" while reading this post...

Ladies and Gents, I give you Her Royal Hotness...Von...

Von is an online BFF of mine representing South Carolina. She cracks me up EVERY SINGLE DAY...She's an absolute doll, and she's HOT! Von is transitioning, like a CHAMP! I was able to be a part of her decision to go natural, and I'm soooo honored she agreed to be showcased on I'm Not Lye-ing.

I've asked Von to talk about her transitioning experience so she can give a first hand account of her triumphs, struggles, and everything that goes into ditching the creamy crack!

When did you start to transition? November 2007

What made you decide to stop relaxing? Inspiration from other natural ladies. I was tired of the constant shedding and thinning. Going natural was the only hair regimen I hadn't tried to improve my hair's health.

How are you transitioning? braids, wigs, weaves, nothing... I would wear a sew-in for 1½-2 months, then wear my hair (fro) for 2 months, and then another sew-in, and so forth.

What do you do during the “rough” times to help you get through? I honestly haven't had those moments...yet. I've been cutting my ends almost monthly, so I haven't had a problem with managing the 2 textures.

What/Who is your inspiration? Ree, of course.lol What keeps me inspired is the thought that ONE day, I would have a head full of healthy hair, which I haven't had since I was 3 years old (b4 the creamy crack). I, too, one day want to be the inspiration for someone else. So, I must keep going.

How long will you transition? One year, and then I'll do the BC.

What styles do you wear the most? When I'm not wearing my fro, I'm wearing a sew-in.

What products do you use? Shea butter mixture (raw shea butter, tea tree/olive/jojoba oil, Infusium leave-in conditioner, & Creme of Nature leave-in conditioner) for moisturizer, the Creme of Nature line, & Infusium leave-in. I want to try Curlz or Kinky Curlz, but the prices are too steep for me.

Do you have any advice to those wishing to transition? DO IT!! Don't just do it b/c the natural styles look cute but for the health of your hair. It's not going to be easy, and it can make you feel like you want to give up. Your fam & friends may say the most hurtful things about your hair. Your 2 textures may not always agree. Your hair may tangle. You may want to SCREAM!! My advice is...listen to your hair!! If the 2 textures don't agree, then do not be afraid to chop those relaxed ends off. If your hair is dry, give it moisture. Be good to your hair and it will be good to you.

::ree waves church fan:: You betta PREACH!!!

Umm, this is how it's done, people! She's bout it!!! 2 dang inches at once...She's not trimming...This is what folks call a "mini-chop"...

Shampoo

2008-08-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

Cleaning our hair is very important...The question is what to use? There are so many methods of cleaning, and I've tried a lot of them...

No-pooing (shampooing with conditioner only)

Shampooing (shampooing with...shampoo...)

Lo-pooing (mixing a little shampoo in your conditioner)

ACV rinses (rinsing hair with apple cider vinegar to clarify and get the goop out, followed with conditioner or even shampoo...)

When choosing cleaning products (sounds like a Pine-sol commercial...), we have to start paying more attention to the ingredients in the product. A lot of times I get questions regarding "dry hair" and itchy scalp, etc...I always ask...What products are you using??? Sometimes it's not some serious, God awful "something" going on with our hair. It's the products that we've been using for so long that is causing the angst. When transitioning, a lot of times people keep using the same products that they've used when their hair was relaxed. Not a good idea. Those 2 textures are going to rebel, and the harsh detergents in shampoo is NOT going to help.

First things first...Step away from the shampoos that contain sulfates. There are soooo many readily available shampoos out there that do not contain sulfates. Here's a list of some really good shampoos. My favorites (*)...

*Curls Curlicious Curls Cleansing Cream

*Aubrey Organics Primrose & Lavender Scalp-Soothing Shampoo

*Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Shampoo
*Oyin's Grand Poo Bar

Carol's Daughter Tui Herbal Shampoo
Qhemet Biologics Egyptian Wheatgrass Cleansing Tea

Giovanni Smooth As Silk Shampoo
If you're going to follow a no-poo or low-poo regimen, pay attention to the silicones in the products...They're not bad, but they can attribute to build up which can lead to dandruff, styles not working "right", coated hair...Silicones in conditioners generally end with -cone...If you start experiencing the above, give yourself an ACV rinse to clarify your hair (1/2 cup to about a quart of water).

If considering a no-poo or co-wash (conditioner wash), you don't necessarily need to buy an expensive conditioner...I like Suave an V05 products...They get the job done believe it or not. Just choose something that is very creamy and provides lots of "slip" which will provide ease in the detangling department.

Controversy...

2008-08-17T16:16:00.000-07:00

I'm about to start some...I suppose...I'm actually not controversial...I'm a lover not a fighter ;), but I always seem to "step in it" from time to time...

Anyhoo...There's something that I'm seeing more and more, and it's REALLY bothering me...

CHILDREN WITH EXTENSIONS AND PHONY PONYTAILS...

(I saw a few online pictures that I was going to link to this post, but thought against it.)

What are we teaching this new generation of children??? Are we teaching them that their hair is not good enough? I saw a little girl at Kroger yesterday with extensions to the middle of her back. They were gathered into a pony tail, and she couldn't have been older than 5. I was like, "Wow...Is combing hair that difficult?" I'm so not trying to oversimplify anything, as I don't have children, so I'm not sure of how difficult it is. I know we live in another time than when I was that age, but my mom ALWAYS combed my hair and put them in the little pig tails and that was it...The length was what it was...No extras...

With so many AA women struggling with their own identity, being bombarded by media's interpretation of beauty (that is NOT us), I feel like sometimes we can't win for losing. Compound that with decades of poor hair care and product offerings and hair style trends that have kept our hair short, broken off and generally unhealthy. Why put this pressure on these babies to have to live up to the Yakki???

Children shouldn't be wearing extensions, in my opinion...I think it's damaging their ability to accept themselves EXACTLY as God made them....

Moisture

2008-08-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

That seems to be everybody's problem at some point. So how do we keep our tresses from getting dried out??? Good oils and butters...(and leave-ins...saving that for another post)...

There are many things that cause dry hair:

1. Excessive heat (blow dryers, curling irons, flat irons, straightening combs, etc.)

2. Harsh detergents

3. The weather

4. Poor Diet

5. Chemical treatments like coloring

6. Products

I'm sure there are more...

This post is about moisturizers that I love.

First and formost, GREASE...Is not a moisturizer....This stuff is crap...

Please start reading the lables of the products you use. Petroleum (or Petrolatum) Jelly is a by-product of crude oil...It has no business being used for our bodies...I don't care what "grandmama" said...Vaseline, do-gro, all that mess...

Here's a list of oils I use. There are A LOT more but here's a small list:

Shea Butter (unrefined)

Shealoe Butter (shea butter and aloe butter mixed)

Sweet Almond Oil

Castor Oil

Olive Oil

Jojoba Oil

Coconut Oil

Babassu Oil

If you're not into mixing, here are some good moisturizers:

Oyin's Shine and Define (http://www.oyinhandmade.com/)

If you love the texture of "grease"...Oyin's Burnt Sugar Hair Pomade

Curls Whipped Butter (http://www.curls.biz/)

Curls Milkshake (http://www.curls.biz/)
Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter (http://www.carolsdaughter.com/)

Nadia's Seyani Hair Butter (http://www.shescentit.com/

Apply to the hair only...Not the scalp..."Greasing" the scalp isn't cool...You're blocking the pores, and the scalp actually makes its own oils...If you have a dry scalp, you've got OTHER issues...greasing or oiling isn't going to get to the root problem...(we'll talk about that in another post)...

The Twist-Out...

2008-08-14T07:06:00.000-07:00

Twist-Outs are great for transitioners and naturals alike. It's one of those styles that can have a long wearing life too. You can wear a twist out using twists that you've had in for 2 weeks or overnight. It doesn't matter...

Diffrent twists result in different results to the twist out. Small twists give one look like this: (Also, here's a trick if you like the look of straw sets but hate the time it takes to get them...Do smallish twists, then rinse them. Let them dry (pin curl the ends) and unravel...You get a look similar to a strawset without all the dang straws...)

Medium twists give you this:

Larger twists result in something like this: (I had to go find pics of this...Never done a large twist twist out on myself)...From Khamit Kinks....

Flat twists result in this...Flat twist hair straight down with gel and moisturizer. Flat twisting makes my roots a lot straighter.

Products also affect the results of the twist out. By using less gel and more moisturizer (like Shealoe Butter http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/) you get fluffier, puffier less defined twist outs...

Here's my each one, reach one twist-out tutorial. I'm a visual person, so having pictures I think may help some folks really understand how it's done...

1. Twist hair (semi-dry works best for me cause I get the maximum stretch out of my hair...it doesn't shrink!) Use an alcohol-free gel and Petroleum Free moisturizer for your twists. Also, if you plan to wear a part, do it here and not split your hair later (it won't look so hot). So however you want the twist out to lie, make your twists in that direction...(And don't forget the ends!!! I twirl mine around my finger and it makes a little curl...it finishes them off so that when you take them down, the ends aren't sticking straight out.) If you're transitioning, put the ends on rods or pin curl them...

2. Take twists down...I had to be really careful with this because the hair can frizz if it's just pulled apart...(sounds weird, but trust me...)

3. Stretch hair out so it actually does frizz a little...(yeah, I just contradicted myself, but...hey...it works.)

4. Finger style and enjoy...

5. The more you pull, the bigger it gets, or vice versa...don't pull so much, and you get more defined crinkles...To get rid of the parts, I massage my scalp and it makes the hair poof out...Oh...and add the fabulous eye make up too...lol... ;)

There you go! Motown Girl has GREAT instructions too! http://www.motowngirl.com/

What's up with HEAT????

2008-08-12T09:58:00.000-07:00

I'm not a huge fan of straightening, and I'm not millitant with it either. I think I've straightened my hair a handful of times since going natural... (for my wedding is one of those times...)

Heat can be a monster, espeically when used consistently. Some people prefer to wear their natural hair straightened, and that's their business. No judgement from me, I personally think they're still natural so I wont debate the point that I've seen some natural woman fight over (whether those who straighten are "true" naturals). Not going to sit here and say they're trying to be white, rejecting their blackness, etc...I will say that using consistent heat (no matter if you use heat protectant or not) can and probably will cause permanent damage to your natural texture. So how do you safely use heat? Beats the heck out of me...I'm not here for that...As I said, I've only straightened a handful of times, so I'm not a big advocate.

I love this article (http://www.hairparlor.com/haircare-articles/hair-damage-causes.htm)

I'mma paraphrase for my girl Candra who likes to give me lip when I send her long articles to read...(Sucka).

For this post (dealing with heat)...

Straightened Hair Styles

Straightened or sedu hairstyles involve the use of some sedu hair straightener device. Normally a hair iron is used to remove the curl from the hair. Hair damage done by a sedu hair straightener device can be considerable. Anything that applies heat to the hair will have the effect of drying the strands and of making them brittle and more susceptible to breaking. Anything that causes friction or physical stress to the hair can cause hair loss. In addition, curly hair has a unique chemical structure. Sulfur atoms in hair proteins create disulfide bonds by joining together in pairs. The greater is the distance between the proteins at the time of bonding, the greater the bend in the hair when the bond is formed. Heating techniques to relax that bond literally attack the chemical structure of curly hair. Any time straightening techniques are used, the hair should be routinely moisturized. Keep split ends under control, and build times into your week when your hair can "relax" and be its natural curly self.

So if you're gonna heat straighten, be very careful...Limit it as much as possible as no amount of hot oil treatments, deep conditioners, etc., can repair the damage.

Recipes!!!

2008-08-11T16:32:00.000-07:00

Every nappy knows that a part of being nappy is becoming a serious product "cook". Because there aren't many readily available products out there, many a nappy has resorted to mixing it up herself! Dang the industry!!!! Unfortunately, the cry for more natural and pure products is not being heard as loudly and as clearly as we'd like. There are some amazing products out there, but you usually have to buy them online, OR they're expensive!!!

So, here are a list of recipes that I've tried over the years...

My "concoction" (I really need a name for this stuff, hit me up if you have one...)

What it does: It's a leave-in condish. It's got a medium hold. Not too light, not too heavy. It keeps my hair moisturized and keeps it from frizzing out of control (because of the setting lotion). My hair stays "moveable".

For 16 oz.

8oz conditioner (nothing expensive. My favorite is Suave Humectant)

6oz setting lotion (I use Lotta Body)

2 oz of oil (this can be mixed. For ex. 1 oz sweet almont and 1 oz castor oil OR you can substitute one of the ounces of oil for Glycerine...)

This recipe is very easy to manipulate based on your environment. When I visit my mom and sister in Orlando, FL, I change the recipe to:

6 oz conditioner

8oz setting lotion

1oz oil

1oz glycerine

In the winter, I change it to:

10 oz condish

4oz setting lotion

2oz oil

To make this into a spritz. Put 1/2 of the mixture in a spray bottle and add 8 to 12 oz of distilled or spring water. Shake vigiorously to mix. I use the spritz between applications of the "concoction". For example, I get up in the am, spritz my hair down, shake...and go...

Knock-Off Curly Pudding

I used this a few times, and ultimately it was too heavy for my hair. I think it would work really well on thicker tresses. The recipe is like Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding. If you're feeling particularly "saucy" try the shingling method that's on their site. http://missjessies.com/shingling101.htm

From Just_QT from Nappturality.com (I tweaked it some so the numbers make sense)

11oz of any curl activator gel (like Worlds of Curls)

3 ounces of your favorite oil

4 oz. of Fruit of the Earth Vitamin E oil gel

essential oil fragrance to your liking (Optional)

whip/mix let sit about 5 minutes ....and you are done.to speed dry time....sit under a hood hair dryer.

Honey and Olive oil Conditioner

This is like a hot oil treatment pumped up. The honey is a natural humectant, and the olive oil adds the conditioning you need.

1/2 cup of honey

1/4 cup of Olive oil

Heat for about 20 seconds in the microwave to warm a little. Section your hair, and slather all over paying attention to the fragile ends. Cover with a plastic cap and leave on for 20 to 30 minutes.

Rinse REALLY, REALLY, REALLY REALLY well...Like when you think you've rinsed enough, do it that much longer...Don't want your ears stuck to your head... ;)

Okay...That's enough for now...Try 'em and let me know how they worked for you!!!

Braids don't GROW your hair!!!

2008-08-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

If I hear that one more time, I'm going to scream! Braids DO NOT grow your hair...Braids DO NOT promote hair growth...

Braids are a PROTECTIVE style...That's it...

Protective styles are styles that basically keep YOU out of your hair and keep your hair away from the elements (weather, heat, etc...). Protective styles can be braids with or without extensions, wigs, weaves, twists, buns, updos, etc.

I think where people get it wrong is that after they've taken these protective styles out (or off) growth is usually noticed. It's not the protective style that "grows" your hair...It's the sheer fact of leaving it alone that gives your ends the rest and protection from breaking off. So the growth that you see is actually a maintaining of the length.

So braids and other protective styles help to maintain the length by protecting the ends that usually bear the brunt of the abuse (heat, elements, poor combing/brushing habits, etc.)...

With that said, protective styles are great! I wear my hair in protective styles in the winter mostly. When transitioning and after I chopped, I didn't wear protective styles because I wanted to learn how to work with my texture, and honestly consistently using braids or wigs or weaves, wouldn't have given me that opportunity. Once you take the braids out, then what??? And even more, using protective styles to soley grow ones hair out can have limited results. I've talked to many women who have used protective styles to grow their hair out, but once the braids came out, they went right back to the same hair care that kept their hair broken off in the first place...Unless you're learning how to care for those fragile ends, find the best conditioner and moisturizer for your hair, learning how to use little or NO heat, you may find yourself right back where you started...

Hotness!!

2008-08-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

I love seeing women with natural hair REALY rock it. I mean in a sea of weaves and straight hair, you will ALWAYS notice the sista with the big, bouncy fro! (No disrespect to the straight sistas...) AND she's always the one with the MOST 'tude, confidence, and flair...I'd like to also think that EVERYONE wants our hair, lol...Okay...I know that's pushing it, but I honestly do think that...(tee-hee)

Anyway, in my lack-o-love for the lye, I'm going to be showcasing some 'sacuy' sistas who have hair that I LOVE.

The first Diva to christen the blog is Gabbi. Fluffy heart this girl! She's fly. She's on Brown and Bridal with me and she has the cutest fro. Here's why I loves me some Gabbi. Her hair color is BANGIN'...I've never been able to successfully pull off hair color, so I asked her to grace us with some advice and such about being natural and wearing color...

Look at this Diva!

Note the scarf! Love that...Scarves totally take a style to the "hotness" level...

Umm...Love her color...Fierce...

Twist out queen...Y'all tell Gabbi she's HAWT!!!

Last pic...This is a week after her BC. Short hair is the business...She gets extra points for rocking it THIS short!

Okay...without further delay....Introducing Gabbi!

Her hair stats:
Chop/Nappy date: September 2006

Length of Transition: 9 weeks - hair was already short; the goal was to just get a good amount of new growth.

HOW you successfully take care of your color treated hair? Nothing different; I discovered castor oil a little over a year into my hair journey & it worked for me! Co-wash once a week & rub castor oil into my scalp & hair afterwards...the moisture lasts all week.

What made you want to color? I had color before going natural & just wanted it back.

What are some of your challenges with it being color treated? The biggest is the color 'taking!' - Relaxers & all those chemicals actually help colors stick to your hair (or so a stylist told me). With none of that on, nothing took - no brown, no auburn, no golden bronze. After 4 attempts, I finally had to dye it blond to get a subtle auburn shade. Crazy.

What colors will you try next? I've been everything from blond to crayon red...the auburn highlights are just fine.

Got any words of advice to people transitioning and looking for a change?

1. Don't be afraid to chop it all off - I got the MOST compliments from guys in this hair phase. :-) But on a more serious note, starting over is a trying, but very awakening experience, and your hair does NOT grow evenly. Once that relaxer is cut off, it'll take even more cutting to even it all out.

2. Don't think natural hair - whether it's teeny-weeny fro's, big ones, twists, etc. - isn't a professional / presentable look. It couldn't be farther from the truth.

3. Don't tell everybody what you're doing until close the big chop or final cut. My mom & sister were ready to start a petition for me to get a perm once they found out, and some of my friends were so negative about why I'd want an afro. Had I not been so adamant about going natural, I could've easily been discouraged by the surprising lack of support I got from so many people.

4. Nappturality.com - go ahead and throw away everything you use on your relaxed hair & get tips from the girls on here! Seriously, most of that stuff won't work on your natural texture, and you'd be surprised at the things you'll need to experiment with to get your natural hair to a healthy state.

Are you a Saucy Sista? Email me with pictures imnotlyeing@yahoo.com, and tell me why! I'd love to showcase you!

To Chop or not to Chop...

2008-08-10T16:09:00.000-07:00

THAT is the question!

When you're ready to transition, the question always arises. Should you chop? Should you just let the permed hair break off? Hmmm...

Depends.

I'm soooo not a fan of just letting the permed hair break off, but some folks swear by it. I chopped...I couldn't deal with the 2 textures...It was about to drive me to drankin'...I don't know how some people do it. Well yes I do. If you're straightening your hair while transitioning, I guess you really wouldn't know the pain that those of us who didn't straighten while transitioning went through.

If you're transitioning, you have to answer that question. Are you scurred to chop? Don't want to see your hair "really short"? That's understandable. I had fears myself until my hair got unbelieveably tangled one day, and I literally broke down crying...I had been doing "mini-chops" for awhile, but I hadn't gotten the guts to chop it all off until I had my break down. I stood in front of the mirror and went for it...CHOPPED IT ALL OFF. By the time I did it, my hair was brushing my shoulders. I hacked it up too...I definitely looked a HOT mess...I went to my mother's house the following day to have her clean it up for me. She was so shocked I had the guts to do it, but when she was cutting, she was so very supportive. She kept saying she loved it and it was so pretty. That's what you call support!

So know the pros and cons of chopping versus not chopping.

Pros of Chopping:

You get to get the relaxer out, pronto.

You get to learn your hair and texture sooner.

You can stop fighting with the two textures.

No more transitioning

Cons of Chopping

You're hair is going to be shorter than you may want it to be.

Pros of letting it break off...

You get to hold on to the length
Dat bout it, homie...

Cons of letting it break off...

Umm...the breaking??!!!!

Unnecessary stress on your hair

Styling limitations (takes a lot longer to achieve the style you want...for real)

Again, I'm not a fan of letting it break off. In my opinion, it's not a good start to learning good hair care. When my hair was breaking off before I chopped, it was very, very discouraging. "Doing" my hair took sooooo very long! Trust me, you don't need that stress.

So what do you do if you don't want to wear your hair short? Well there is the option of wearing your hair in braids among other things....Be careful however as continued use of braids can weaken your tresses causing all kinds of problems...So it's best to give your hair some rest from them from time to time while transitioning...

If you're brave enough to chop, go for it! I was the cutest with my TWA (teeny weeny afro). Although I transitioned for a complete year, I had a nice sized fro when I finally chopped. My mother took an andditional inch and a half or so off to make sure all of the relaxer was out...

There's so much you can do with your hair short like this...As you can see, I had scarves on lock...Every color...Every style...

Check these out...

From Khamit Kinks (http://www.khamitkinks.com/) Gorgeous "starter" locs, or single strand twists...

From http://www.iblacksoloutions.com/

Product Love...

2008-08-10T14:38:00.000-07:00

When I was on Nappturality all the time, there was a sista there with the baaaannnnggginest (banginest? not a word? yes, homie...it is today...) hair I've EVA seen. Honeychild is her name... She's so gorgeous, and her hair is unfreaking believeable! So when she started selling hair products, I was not surprised. She always had such great advice and gave wonderful "sista girl" support. Love her guts....

Anyway, I've purchased products from her a few times, and I've always LOVED her line. OYIN HANDMADE, people...(http://www.oyinhandmade.com/)

She's expanded her offerings so much, and I've not tried 1/2 of it, but here's a list of the things that I've always loved.

The Grand Poo Bar. Wow...I just thought of something. This was the first shampoo bar that I've ever used. (Moment of silence, please.....) Okay. Here's the deal with this stuff. NO sulfates in this shampoo bar...At all! This bar has great suds too. The only down side is that it's in a bar...That's actually NOT a down side, just something you have to get used to. I literally just jam the bar in my hair and get to "shampooing"...She's got more poetic instructions, but that's basically how it's done. 2.7 oz bar for $7.

Greg Juice.

Liquid love...I don't know how this stuff does what it does, but it does it...:/ It's a moisturizing leave-in condish. You spray on thirsty tresses when they need some extra lovin'. Oh, and it smells like Froot Loops. If you don't like that scent, they also sell the Frank Juice, which smells of Frankinsense and Myrrh... 8oz for $9.00

Whipped Pudding. This is one of those "beginner" products for me. If you're still "greasing" your scalp with Petroleum based "grease", STOP...I'mma talk about you. Please replace it with this product. Why? Not because I said (not a bad reason, though), BUT because it's a great "good for your hurr" product. The site says, "It’s a mixture of rich botanical butters & oils like shea butter, cocoa butter, and castor oil; blended with plenty of pure aloe vera gel and spring water for lightness & penetration." I agree. It costs more than 'grease', but it's better for your hair....STEP AWAY FROM THE GREASE, and step into the light of Whipped Pudding...I no longer use this, as I make my own by the vat, but I'm always suggesting that people buy this if they're not into mixing it up themselves. 8oz for $16.00

Broke my comb...

2008-08-10T14:21:00.000-07:00

Okay, not anymore...Man, let me say that non-nappies are in the comb making business...Sure, I could go buy one of those pics with the fist, but those don't do the job for me...One thing that's a universal Nappy Love is the Denman brush. Get one...They're cool...They don't rip your hair out, they last a long time...You can get them from Sally Beauty supply...

When washing, choose a wide tooth comb. I have one that i've been using for 10 years...No joke...I think I've more than gotten my money's worth...It's been a trooper...It's never lost a tooth...The plastic hasn't shred or done anything weird...It's a necessity...I've lost a few combs in my hair (seriously), but the wide tooth comb has held up!

and for smoothing the edges...(or Kitchen...tee-hee), love my trusty boar's bristle brush.

Ummm...Please don't talk to my hair....

2008-08-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

It can't respond to you...

That's what I want to tell people...If you're nappy, you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about...If you're not yet, just you wait! It's coming...

The STARES....

People don't mean any harm (at least most dont), but they're curious. Most (I'mma say 80%) wont come right out and say, "Hey, how'd you get your hair like that?", but will take quick glances at your hair during conversations...It's normal...

Those that do get the nerve to ask about my hair always ask THAT question, "How do you get your hair like that?". At first when I was all millitant, mad at the "man" and the system, I'd say, "Like what?", knowing FULL well what they were asking...(Shaking my head)...All mad at everybody like, "What? What? You aint seen naps before??? Get the perm outcha head, and maybe you can find out, sucka!" Okay...I wasn't THAT bad, but that's what I thought...

But c'mon...Seriously...Natural hair is in the minority. We're a curious bunch...And to look at the postive side, I've NEVER met one person who said, "EWWWWW!!!! It looks like death!!!" They've always wanted to know how it does what it does, and marvel when I say, "Baby, it just DOES it..."

Stylez...

2008-08-10T11:24:00.000-07:00

Can we talk about styles?

When I first decided to go nappy (we can say nappy, right? Y'all aint gone get "sensitive" with that word??), my first fear was HOW am I going to style it...I was worried...I gots a big head...I mean HUUGGGEEE...Airplanes mistake my dome for a landing strip my head is so big...I didn't know HOW I was going to work that out...But guess what? It's not a huge issue...There are so many styles out there that I can do now! I'm only limited by my imagination. When I had a perm, I could do like 3 or 4 styles and that was it...I wasn't the type of woman that wore the 3 styles in one head with like a pound of gel in it and 10,000 bobby pins, with finger waves in the front and "shrinky dinks" in the back...That wasn't me...The length of my hair basically left me with down...1/2 down, and up...that was it...Oh, and if I was really trying to be cute, I'd get a straw set. See, my hair doesn't really curl all that well, and I was stuck with floppy straight styles...Not anymore...

Check ya girl out...This is over the years of nappy...

Got the shake and go with the flower (Year 2)

Twist Out (Year 3)

2 strand twist updo (year 3)

The Fro Hawk (Year 3)

Okay...okay...That's enough attention whoring...But you get the point right? You CAN wear 6.8 billion different styles, and they don't HAVE to be braids...I don't even consider myself all that creative in the styles department, and can BARELY braid, but I can pull off some supa fly styles...BET...

Products I love right now...

2008-08-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

I'm not a PJ (product junkie) anymore. When I first started on my natural journey, I spent a small fortune trying products, but now that I'm 6 years in, I'm like "eh" with products. I've found a "concoction" that works for ME and I'm really satisfied with it...I've been using it for 2 years now, and I've not found anything that has made me want to try something different. It's basically stuff that I got from the store and mixed them together. It was a recipe I got from a girl friend of mine. Anyway, it's basically conditioner (50%), setting lotion (40%), and sweet almond oil (10%) mixed in a bottle...I change the percentages depending on my hair's needs and depending on the weather...

I have been using some commerical however, and I'll post reviews every now and then when I venture out and try them...

I got a sample pack from http://www.shescentit.com/ a couple of weeks ago. I really like her products. Nadia is a 90-100% Natural Hair care line that was created with the emphasis on hair care a more natural and healthier way. It is perfect for chemically treated hair as well as Natural hair. (taken from the website) . The samples are a good size too...Enough for 2 to 3 shampoos...

I tried:

The Jojoba Hemp Conditioning Shampoo. I really like this product...First and formost, there are NO sulfates it the shampoo...Yippie Dippie for that, right? Yes. Like most sulfate free shampoos, there wasn't a GANG of suds, but there was enough there to more than get the job done...After I shampooed, my hair didn't feel coated or stripped. It was really gentle, and it smelle pretty good too. Cost: $12 for 8oz (when I checked). It boasts some really great ingredients too: Aloe Vera, Hemp Seed Oil, Panthanol, Glycerine, Castor Oil, and others...

Fortifying Hair Masque. This is a protein conditioner for normal to dry hair. I wasn't overly impressed with this, but I was impressed with the ingredients. Would I use it again? Without a doubt. I don't use protein conditioners very often, but when I do, I could see myself using this over the other protein condish I have. I think it's the price that has me going "eh", and the fact that I'd have to order it online...BUT it's a good product. It gave my hair good slip and my comb literally slid through my hair...What more can I ask for??? How about a Nadia store next door to my house??? More great ingredients too: Shea Butter, Olive oil, wheat protein, panthenol, and so much more...$12 for 8 oz.

Avacado Conditioner. I wont lie...I was really skeptical about this condtioner...Why? Umm, the color...Me no like it...I swear my Grandmother has a bottle of lotion under the sink in her bathroom that has been there since the 70's that's this EXACT color...I promise. Other than that, it's good stuff...Gave great slip...Didn't coat my hair, and left it really light after it dried. Its calling card is that it's for hair that's been fried and overly-processed. Again, she's doin' it with the great ingredients: Avocado oil, grapeseed oil, and castor oil. 8oz for $6.

Banana Brulee Moisturizing Deep Conditioner. In love with this stuff...Let me tell you...This gave my hair super "slip". It smells good which is something I have to have...(a good smelling products). It has a nice thick consistency, too. I conditioned, let it sit for about 15 minutes, then rinsed. I didn't apply any products and let it air dry to see what it did...Bouncy hair...Fluffy...It's a keeper. Again, great ingredients: Essential oils, bananas, castor oil, glycerine, coconut oil, babassu oil, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, and other good stuff. 8oz for $11.00...

The Journey

2008-08-09T06:46:00.000-07:00

Deciding to go natural is NOT easy...There are so many things a lot of women have to contend with.

1. Her self esteem
2. Support (or lack of support) from friends and family
3. Fear of the unknown

Sounds like something straight out of a psychology textbook, doesn't it? It really is a big decision. I'm not here to debate the nuances of the relationship between black women and their hair (although I'll make many an off-color joke or comment here and there), rather I'm here to share my journey and hopefully help someone interested in wearing their hair in its natural, relaxer-free state.

So, what do you need to transition? I'm not going to say, "Products and a good pair of scissors"...At least not yet. The first thing you need is a very, very large dose of patience, perserverance, and really, really thick skin. You have to be ready to give up just about everything you thought you knew about your hair because in all honesty, when's the last time you saw it in its natural state? You're going to have people discourage you from going natural. It's inevitable. Hopefully you'll learn early to shake the haters off, because that's what they are...Haters...They mean well, but they don't understand your journey...You're also going to have to spend a lot of time experimenting with products and styles...Some styles will look bangin' on you...some will look....well...a mess...And at the end of the day, it's alright.

So, dig right in and go for it! I'm here to support you and be your cheerleader! If you have any questions or comments, email me at imnotlyeing@yahoo.com! Good luck, lovelies!